Small Handcrafted Horn Bowl – Authentic Medieval & Viking Accessory

Small Handcrafted Horn Bowl by Lord Of Battles – Authentic Medieval & Viking Accessory

Appearance and Properties

This small bowl is crafted from a single piece of carefully selected genuine horn, ensuring its natural beauty and uniqueness. The surface is polished to highlight the rich texture and varied colour transitions of the material. As seen in the provided photographs (e.g., lb-60671-2_02.jpg or 7-140-1.jpg.webp), these bowls showcase a range of natural horn colours – some may be darker, others lighter, with typical patterns ranging from creamy whites and honeyed yellows to deep browns and blacks. The shape is organic and slightly irregular, a testament to its handcrafted nature and natural origin. Each bowl is waterproof. Being handmade from a natural material, the exact dimensions, colour, and grain pattern will vary slightly from piece to piece. This guarantees that you will own a truly one-of-a-kind item.

How You Can Use This Product

Despite its small size, this horn bowl offers a wide array of uses:

• Historical Dining (Reenactment, LARP): Ideal for serving salt, spices, herbs, small portions of honey, nuts, or as an individual dish for tiny morsels on your historical table. Perfect for Viking, medieval, and other period events in England and across continental Europe.
• Themed Events & Celebrations: A stylish touch for presenting small condiments, individual dips, or as part of a larger table arrangement.
• Decorative & Ritual Purposes: Can serve as a small offering bowl, for holding tiny ritual items, herbs, or as part of an altar setup.
• Trinket Dish: Suitable for keeping rings, small pieces of jewellery, or other precious small items safe.
• Unique Gift: A delightful present for any enthusiast of history, natural materials, or unique handcrafted items.

Historical Context

The use of vessels and utensils made from horn is documented from the earliest periods of human history. Horn was an accessible material, relatively easy to work with, and valued for its lightness and durability. Small bowls and dishes served numerous purposes – from holding and serving small quantities of food or liquids, mixing pigments and medicinal ointments, to ritualistic uses. In the Middle Ages, including the Viking era, items made from horn were a common part of daily life. While larger vessels were used for eating and drinking, smaller bowls might have had more specific applications, such as holding salt (a valuable commodity) or individual servings of rarer ingredients.

An Interesting Fact from History: The Versatility of Horn

Horn was not solely used for tableware. Due to its properties – strength, flexibility when heated, and its ability to take a polish – it was also crafted into combs, buttons, knife handles, components of bows, musical instruments (like blowing horns), and many other objects. Every part of a hunted animal was utilized to its fullest extent in the past, and horns were no exception.

Care Instructions and Limitations

To ensure your small horn bowl retains its beauty and serves you for as long as possible:

• First Use: Before using for the first time, rinse the bowl under lukewarm running water.
• Cleaning: After each use, hand wash the bowl with lukewarm water. If necessary, a very small amount of mild, non-abrasive soap can be used. Dry thoroughly immediately with a soft cloth.
• Not Dishwasher Safe: Never wash your horn bowl in a dishwasher.
• Not Suitable For:
  • Very Hot Foods: Do not place extremely hot foods in the bowl.
  • Long-Term Liquid Storage: Not recommended for long-term storage of liquids, especially those that are highly acidic or have an alcohol content exceeding 20%.
• Surface Maintenance: To revive its shine and prolong its life, you can occasionally (e.g., every few months) lightly rub the surface of the bowl with a small amount of food-safe vegetable oil (such as linseed or olive oil) or beeswax. Allow it to absorb for a short while, then wipe off any excess with a clean cloth.
• Storage: Store in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.
• Natural Properties: Horn is a natural material. Slight variations in colour, grain, shape, and the potential for minor surface irregularities or fine crazing to develop over time are normal and highlight the authenticity and natural origin of the product.

This small yet charming bowl from Lord Of Battles® is a piece of history that you can hold in your palm and use in your own adventures.

A quality product by Lord Of Battles®.