Eenhoorn-hoorns c. 11th century

This “Unicorn Horn” was made by an unknown maker, likely sometime in the 17th or 18th century, out of narwhal tusk and metal. The spiral form is the key to understanding this object. The tusk was carefully carved, presumably by hand, to emphasize the natural spiraling of the narwhal's tusk. This process would have been labor-intensive, requiring great skill and control. The addition of metal caps at each end gives it the appearance of a precious object, an important, valuable curiosity. These “horns” were traded as medicine. They are excellent examples of how valuable, in the context of the early modern period, it was to have a skilled hand. An ordinary object, imbued with significance, can become a symbol of status, power, and even magical properties. This transformation challenges our traditional notions of art and craft, revealing the cultural significance embedded in materials and the skilled processes of making.