Drinking Horn
Artifact IDMO 63.2470.4
Object Type
Horn, Drinking
Date
19th century
Date Presented9/62
Gifter
Nikita Khrushchev
Place MadeRussia, Europe
Medium
Bovine horn, silver, niello
DimensionsOverall W 12 1/4 in x L 4 1/2 in (31.1 cm x 11.4 cm)
Physical DescriptionDrinking horn with engraved silver and niello (a metallic alloy of sulfur and silver) on the bottom tip and mouthpiece. A silver chain is attached to horn.
Historical NoteOne of a set of four drinking horns sent to President Kennedy by Soviet Premier Khrushchev, along with several bottles of Georgian wine in September of 1962, shortly before the Cuban Missile Crisis would change US-Russian relations.
Drinking horns probably originated with nomadic peoples but were known in antiquity as rhytons and were made both by Persian goldsmiths in precious metals and semi-precious stones and by Greek potters in fine red-figured ware. The ancient Scandinavians drank mead from them, and the same custom may have been practiced in Russia.
Additional DetailsDrinking horns probably originated with nomadic peoples but were known in antiquity as rhytons and were made both by Persian goldsmiths in precious metals and semi-precious stones and by Greek potters in fine red-figured ware. The ancient Scandinavians drank mead from them, and the same custom may have been practiced in Russia.
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift to President and Mrs. Kennedy from Nikita Khrushchev, Premier of the USSR. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Heads of State (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view
