Keratin Kitsch
Adele Schaverien

The discussion that followed the recent talk to the PHS to which the author refers showed clearly that what is for one person 'kitsch' (dictionary definition: 'work in any of the arts that is pretentious and inferior or in bad taste') may almost qualify for another's design award. In this article the author carries the theme into the field of horn. Possibly our readership will exhibit the same dichotomy in assessing the examples illustrated!

Detail from Javanese water buffalo horn showing engraved mythological creature

While listening to Peter Ward's interesting and amusing lecture on 'Plastics and Kitsch' at the 1996 PHS Christmas Event certain horn items came to mind which could also easily he so described. The term is used we were reminded, for products that 'taste' in the early part of, (lie twentieth century defined as ,commercial atrocities' or 'pretend art'.

The use of horn as a multipurpose material could, I suggest, also include some examples of' 'kitsch'. Peter included some objects which displayed a cheerful vulgarity, others were jokey and one or two were pretentious. The Worshipful Company of' Homers was once offered a pair of' horns set at an appropriate angle on which to hang a couple of hats This singular piece might have been unique but since the overall appearance was decidedly vulgar the offer was gently declined!

Holiday souvenirs in horn are the kind of' items which I  would define as 'commercial atrocities'. These include unrecognizable species of birds, fishes and other creatures. The Homers' Company collection has a small selection of' such creatures, as well as four Javanese holiday souvenirs which are engraved horns and date from the 1900s The first pair of Javanese mementos consists of two large water buffalo horns screwed together onto a wooden black, thus creating a U shape. These large horns have engraved figures which resemble characters from a story of' ancient India(l). They are drawn in the style of shadow puppets and also feature a large naga or mythological snake. The second pair are small buffalo horns, and possibly are intended to hang as a wall decoration. They too feature engraved figures. Both pairs are crudely executed.

In a group I would refer to affectionately as 'humorous' kitsch is a walking stick 1 own. It has a handle made from an antler burr, the tine forms a beak and the whole has the appearance of a Lewis Carroll 'bird' complete with two blue heady glass eyes. Recently I saw a small collection of modern carved horn brooches: delightful representations of birds, dogs and fishes which are produced as giftware and retain an element of fun and humour. There are two items belonging to the Horners' Company which conceivably could be considered 'pretend art'. They are magnificent horns but mounted on base metal stands and surmounted with malachite eggs. The phrase 'Sloane Street kitsch' come., to mind!

The obvious and most contrived example of kitsch is when horn is used in furniture. A chair which features a framework of large Texas longhorns set at various angles is not the most inviting place in which to relax. The fashion for 'horn' furniture made ill cattle horn or antler beams began ill Germany and was used largely to furnish hunting lodges(2). After the Exhibitions of 1851 and 1862 this furniture became very popular in England, particularly among the nobility and the gentry. No doubt Prince Albert's affection for this style had some influence on the fashion which produced horn-decorated chairs, tables, mirrors and bureaux.

However, the most extraordinary and curious pieces produced from assembled antlers or cattle horns must be the candelabra or chandeliers which date from the fifteenth century. The 'Kronleuchter'(3) or 'Leuchterweibchen'(4) include designs with male or female figures. Mermaids, dragons or angels fly among tile antler beams. Although they are more often described as 'gothic' or 'follies', I suggest they were the earliest examples of kitsch produced, but that is purely a matter of conjecture.

(1) The Mahabharata story and the figures represent one of tile Pandawa brothers from this narrative. I am most grateful to Dr Brian Durrants at the Museum of Mankind for this information on these horns from the Homers' Company collection.

 (2) The article by Simon Jervis published in The Connoisseur, November 1977 entitled 'Furniture in Horn and Antler' was brought to my attention by Hazel Forsyth of the Museum of London.

(3) A circular chandelier, the antlers are usually fixed to a female torso. ['Furniture in Horn and Antler' by Simon Jervis].

(4) The antlers are not placed in a circle, but fixed to a torso, again usually female, and give the appearance of flying.