SIGNAL HORN

United Kingdom / India; 19th-20th century.

Horn, brass, leather, silver.

An English inscription on paper slipped inside reads: “Tibetan horn collected by Colonel Fortescue / by Younghusband in 1905 / voyage of exploration to Tibet / See Finch (catalogue?)”.

Colonel Hugh Fortescue (1888-1958) and Colonel Francis Edward Younghusband, (1863-1942) both had careers in the English colonial army. One in Africa, the other in India. F.E. Younghusband participated in the Tibet expedition (1903-1904) and it was on his return, according to the document, that he offered the instrument to Colonel Younghusband.

Length: 56.8cm