Horn goods
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Delivery time: 8 - 10 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
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Delivery time: 8 - 10 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 8 - 10 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 8 - 10 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
Horn is one of the oldest materials known to humankind — and was as ubiquitous in the Middle Ages as plastic is today. Drinking horns, horn bowls, spoons, combs and powder horns: in this category you’ll find hornware for authentic re-enactment camps, medieval markets and everyday use.
Horn as a material: why it remains popular to this day
Horn is made of keratin — the same protein that makes up human fingernails and hair. This makes it light, surprisingly robust and completely biodegradable. Every piece is unique thanks to its natural grain and colour variations: no two horn bowls, no two cups look the same.
Its ability to be shaped by heat is particularly practical: in hot water, horn softens to such an extent that it can be bent, pressed and moulded — without any glue or tools. Once cooled, it retains its new shape permanently. Historical craftsmen made extensive use of this property: they unfolded whole horn cylinders into flat sheets, shaped cups from strips, or pressed combs from thin slices.
Food-safe, tasteless and easy to care for when treated correctly — horn is, in many ways, the better plastic. No wonder it was found in every household during the Middle Ages.
An overview of hornware: What you’ll find in this category
Drinking horns
The centrepiece of the range: drinking horns made from genuine buffalo or cattle horn in all standard sizes. Polished exterior, food-safe coating on the inside — ready for mead, beer or water by the campfire.
Cups, bowls & spoons
Horn mugs and beer mugs made from buffalo horn, plus horn bowls in various sizes and spoons for the cooking area. Each piece with its own unique grain — not a mass-produced item.
Powder horns, bugles & accessories
Powder horns for re-enactors of marksmen and mercenaries, bugles for dramatic appearances, and matching accessories: leather carrying straps, stands and wooden lids for drinking horns.
Prices range from around €10 for smaller horn cups and bowls up to a good €104 for a polished cattle horn drinking horn with a 3.5-litre capacity — making the range suitable for beginners as well as experienced re-enactors with high standards regarding materials.
Drinking horn: choosing the right size made easy
Ideal for quick trips to the market, as a souvenir or to get started with the hobby. Handy, easy to carry — fits well in a belt holder for drinking horns.
The best-selling range. Sufficient for a long afternoon at the medieval market or a LARP session. Polished surface and food-safe interior coating as standard.
For camp evenings lasting several hours: ample capacity without the need for constant refilling. Fits well with long table gatherings at re-enactment events.
Both an eye-catcher and a conversation starter. Drinking horns from 2.5 litres to 3.5 litres are suitable as decorative pieces, for toasts of honour or as impressive props. Volume figures are approximate — as a natural product, each horn varies slightly.
Care and cleaning of hornware
First, the most important rule: no dishwashers, no hot water. Heat makes horn malleable again — a hot dishwasher can warp a carefully shaped drinking horn in a matter of minutes. Hand washing with lukewarm water and a mild washing-up liquid is entirely sufficient for everyday cleaning.
If you wish to keep your horn in good condition over the long term, rub the outer surface occasionally with linseed oil or beeswax. This protects the surface, preserves the natural sheen and prevents the horn from becoming brittle. For drinking horns and cups with a food-safe coating on the inside, the rule is: rinse gently only, do not scrub — the coating must be preserved.
For storage, a dry place away from direct sunlight is recommended. UV light can fade the natural colour of the horn over time and dull the surface.
Hornware in historical use
Drinking horns among the Vikings and Saxons
Archaeological finds confirm the use of drinking horns as vessels in Germanic, Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian regions. They were passed around at feasts but also held ceremonial significance. Viking-era attire and drinking horns were inseparable from the very beginning.
Horn as an everyday material
Horn buttons as common fastenings for clothing, combs and hairpins made of horn for grooming and attire, spoons and bowls for the kitchen – the material was found throughout the entire medieval household. No other material was so versatile and malleable whilst being so lightweight.
Powder horns for marksmen and mercenaries
With the advent of firearms, powder horns became an indispensable piece of equipment for mercenaries and marksmen. The natural airtightness of horn made it the ideal container for black powder — dry, light and portable on a belt.
Hornware as a gift and for beginners
Small horn cups and bowls from around €10–15 are an easy way to get started — or a souvenir for medieval market visitors who don’t yet own anything made of real horn. The natural material makes even simple pieces a personal, one-of-a-kind item.
Those looking to give something special will find what they’re after in drinking horns with brass details and a matching stand — a complete set that’s ready to use straight away. Combined with matching medieval cutlery or a medieval belt pouch, this creates a gift set that is both practical and authentic.
Hornware is ideal for medieval market visitors, LARP beginners and Viking fans alike. Anyone specifically looking for Viking drinking horns and horn mugs will find an even wider range with further variants and decorative options in the sister category of the same name.
Whether you’re looking for your first drinking horn for the next medieval market or want to complete your collection with horn bowls, spoons and powder horns — browse through the range and find the perfect piece made from genuine natural horn.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. All drinking horns and horn cups in our range are sealed on the inside with a food-safe varnish that protects the horn and makes it suitable for drinks such as mead, beer or water. The outside is polished and left in its natural state. The varnish should not be scrubbed — gently rinsing with lukewarm water is sufficient for cleaning.
That depends mainly on how you intend to use it. Drinking horns with a capacity of 0.35–0.5 litres are ideal for short visits to the market or as gifts. Those who use their horn as an everyday drinking vessel at events often opt for 0.75–1.25 litres. For evenings spent camping lasting several hours or as a centrepiece, sizes from 1.5 litres upwards are the better choice. As every horn is a natural product, the volume specifications are always approximate.
No — this is the most important care rule for hornware. Heat makes horn malleable again, causing it to lose its shape in the dishwasher. Hand washing with lukewarm water and mild washing-up liquid is the correct method. Occasionally rubbing the surface with linseed oil or beeswax keeps it supple and protects against cracking.
Horn is a natural material — every piece has its own grain, colour tone and shape. This makes every horn cup and drinking horn unique. Colour variations from the product photo are therefore normal and do not indicate a quality defect. The exact capacity may also vary slightly, as the horns are not industrially standardised.
Hornware makes a versatile gift for medieval market visitors, LARP beginners, Viking fans and anyone who enjoys using natural materials. Small horn cups and bowls are available from around €10–15, making them a simple souvenir. Drinking horns with brass details and stands make for a high-quality gift set. Combined with medieval cutlery or a belt pouch, they create a complete gift set.