Modern Heathen

"This book presents the carved decorations on the 37 surviving Icelandic drinking horns from ca. 1400 to the end of the 17th century. The that the decoration is carved distinguishes the Icelandic drinking horns from those of the other Scandinavian countries; the carving on the horns is a part of Iceland's rich heritage of minor art-work on horn, bone and walrus ivory. As well as pure ornament, the decoration includes figurative scenes and inscriptions that tell us something about the use of the horns. Apparently they were used for commemorative drinking in a Christian context: to the Trinity, the Virgin Mary, apostles and saints. When drinking customs changed with the introduction of spirits, many of the old drinking horns had the tip cut off or were even cut at both ends with no regard for the decoration. A wooden base was inserted at the wide end, and the horns were used like bottles or in some cases as powder horns. These conversions are the reason why only about 25% of the known horns have survived in their original length."