In the beginning part of the 19th Century, the horn makers of York County Pennsylvania were making powder horns by the barrel and shipping them out all over the rapidly expanding country. Pennsylvania artist Brett Davis has captured the style of the 3rd generation perfectly. It has a turned cherry base with detailed rope carving [...]

This beautiful game bag was made by another one of our New and Aspiring Artists, Darren Modzelewski. Inspired by game bags found in numerous mid to late 18th century paintings of European and American hunting scenes, Darren has put thought and care into every detail. The main bag is hand-stitched with linen thread. The body [...]

This sheath and knife set was made by Christine Suchora and Rob Park. Rob hand-forged the knife with a tapered tang, added curly maple scales and sharpened the lightweight blade to a razor’s edge. Christine’s quill work sheath is spectacular! She used naturally dyed porcupine quills and braintan deerhide for the body of the sheath, [...]

Heddle Weaving by Will Manire. Trade Silver by Dillon Householder. This collaborative piece was inspired by the famous image of "Mico Chlucco, King of the Muscogulges" as drawn in the journal of William Bartram during his 1773-77 travels in the southeastern frontier of North America. The pattern on the heddle woven strap is taken directly [...]

"Low Water" This beautiful print was donated by the Herhsel House Foundation. It is a print from an original drawing by Hershel House himself. This is Hershel's interpretation and tribute to Lewis & Clark’s Corp of Discovery. It shows the keelboat being unloaded and pulled by towlines due to low water. Close inspection will reveal [...]

This bag made by artist Terry Smith is truly a piece of history. Made from a piece of a coverlet from the 1800’s, it is lined with canvas and features bark tanned deer leather dyed to match the coverlet. Hand-stitched with waxed linen thread, it is hung on a strap made of vegetable tanned cowhide [...]

In the 18th century, dueling had become a regular part of life as a gentleman in the colonies. While publicly frowned upon, the practice lasted into the first quarter of the 19th century and had a profound impact on some of American’s most influential persons. Ready to defend your honor, this beautiful boxed set of [...]

When artist Donald Shaver said he had a donation for the CLF auction that year, the committee was very excited. The native pipe is a compilation of two originals. The body of the pipe, carved from spalted maple and decorated with sinew and deer hair, is based on a Santee original from the Painter Collection [...]

One of the tools that was vital for life on the frontier in the 18th Century was an edged weapon of some kind. Joe Seabolt has created one of the prettiest options you will ever find. This military or gentleman's style dagger is hand-forged from 1084 carbon steel, providing a strong durable blade. He turned [...]

This Ken Scott painting is his version of the famous work Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanual Leutze. It is done in an early folk art style known as naive and rendered in ink and watercolor. This wonderful piece shows General Washington in the boat with several of his troops as they approach Trenton, seen [...]

The Sam Brady set is a collaboration for the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary war. This set commemorates one of its heroes. This frontier scout and spy gained notoriety as a defender of the western frontier. He was able to dress like natives of the Ohio valley to gain intelligence and rescue captives. This set [...]

Aaron Jenkins generously offers a set of four beautiful pieces of glasswork! Two glass powderhorns and two flasks make an elegant combination for any blackpowder shooter! Glass powderhorns began to appear in the 1700s but grew popular and more common in the early to mid-1800s. Examples, some still containing powder residue, can be seen in [...]

This gorgeously constructed and aged flintlock pistol was built by Lowell Haarer. He based his work on pistols from Augusta and Rockbridge County Virginia. The fine piece is stocked in curly maple and features both raised and incised carving, handmade brass fittings,  sterling silver inlay and a poured pewter muzzlecap. The lock is a specially [...]

Every member of the militia in 1775 was required to have an edged weapon - and while some used bayonets or swords, many chose a tool they were familiar with–the tomahawk. David Allen's polled tomahawk is a beautiful example! It has a hand-forged mild steel head with a welded spring steel bit for the cutting [...]

This set is a unique expression of the art, community and history of the longrifle culture. It began as a community engagement activity to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War and muzzleloading culture. The idea was to create a contemporary horn named Traveler that could be taken on adventures, with the travels [...]

This 1/3rd scale folk art creation “Rufus” is inspired by Rufus Putnum, a leader in the Continental Army who served from 1775 until the end of the Revolution in 1783.  This set commemorates the 250th  anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from England. It is intended to recognize the thousands of Revolutionary War soldiers and [...]

This lot is something special! We approached the Southern Ohio Artisans Workship last year about completing a firearm for this year’s auction. SOAW is a collective of experienced artists that pass down their knowledge and experience through classes. Anyone can sign up to learn a variety of early American art skills– including powderhorns and engraving, [...]

This painting of an American Indian, donated by Beckie Mooneyhan, captures a warrior striped for raiding. His colorful attire is filled with ribbons, beads and silver. The otter hide made into a bag and pipe tomahawk at the ready speak to his warrior status. This painting is beautifully framed and ready to take its place [...]

One of our new and aspiring artists, Steven Kelly has put together this beautiful tribute to the sacred Bison that once roamed both the plains of the West and the woods of the East. While bison still can be found west of the Mississippi, by the end of the 18th century, the Eastern Bison had [...]

This gathering basket was woven from European-cultivated willow that was raised and harvested on the Hast Farm in Ohio County, Kentucky. The intricately woven willow stems are also used to construct the twisted handle. Vickie Hast has been a basketmaker for over 2 decades and works with the harvested willow, white oak, poplar and hickory [...]

Each year Verlin Cossel creates a knife, sheath and display for the CLF Auction to help promote our art. His donation this year celebrates both our 30th Anniversary and the heritage of the greatest artists from our history.  The display is made with a piece of the original logs and roof from Hershal House’s cabin [...]

This four bag set contains the work of two generations of artists. A ticking lined hunting bag, linen haversack, shooting bag and small belt bag are each hand sewn from cowhide, bark tan deer hide, ticking and linen. But more than just the perfect set of bags to cover every style of shooting, this set [...]

Artist Scott Summerville, a loyal auction supporter, donated this Barlow knife. A very common 18th century design, the Barlow name was written in 2 lines ‘Bar Low’. This knife is made of 1095 high carbon steel. The blade has a typical 18th century spear point tip. The bolster sets off the handles and blade perfectly. [...]

This collaborative set is the perfect complement to any longrifle. The hand-made pouch by Lawrence Fiorillo is the perfect size. It's big enough to carry what you need for the hunt or shoot, but it still tucks under your arm to stay secure as you navigate through the wilderness. The brindled cowhide and pigskin lining [...]

In 1776, the burgeoning settlements on the Virginia frontier began to push west.  The explorers, long hunters and settlers began to carry their longrifles over the mountains and into the western frontier. This wonderful map by Michael Dotson documents the trails, forts, settlements and landmarks of this area. Carefully hand-drawn with a nib dip pen [...]

This pouch begins—and rightly so—with the work of Kerry Masarik of Horn and Fiber. The handwoven strap and front panel immediately command attention, with a bold green and natural zigzag pattern in wool and Swedish linen that feels both historic and alive. The design recalls flame embroidery, with a rhythmic movement and precision that can’t [...]

Inspired by the 250th Anniversary of American independence and the Pennsylvania German art form known as “fraktur", artist Donna Spangler has created a spectacular piece of art in tribute to those Americans who took up arms and left their homes to secure freedom for us all. The image in the fraktur is made up of [...]

In the 18th century, there were a few ways to carry your personal belongings. One of the most common was to use a market wallet, like this example donated by Mary Brandenburg. You would place anything you wanted to carry into the ends of the bag, twist the bag in the middle and throw the [...]

Quilled Hat Band by Djuana Tucker During 18th and 19th centuries no self-respecting gentleman, or scoundrel for that matter, would consider venturing into public without a hat. For those hoping to set their headgear apart from the crowd, CLA artist Djuana Tucker has donated a unique quill wrapped rawhide hatband to this year’s fundraising auction. [...]

This gorgeous sash has been woven and donated by weaver and artist Christine Connolly.  Meant to be worn twice wrapped around the waist, this sash will be the perfect complement to your hunting frock! The linen used for the warp of this sash is some of the finest quality thread available for weavers today. The [...]

CLA Artist Andy Winegar’s hand forged blade is as robust as the western frontiersmen who carried them. This hunting knife, crafted in the style of the simple butcher knife, will offer years of dependable service. The eight inch, clip point blade is forged from 1095 carbon steel and fitted with curly maple scales and a [...]

Artist Robert Brisson has put together a classic southern banded horn for this year's auction.  This classic horn style can be found from Virginia to Georgia. Robert’s horn features a cow horn body. The base is turned from mesquite, while the bands are turned from bison horn and pinned to the body of the horn. [...]

Ron Turner and Kyle Lively, two amazing CLA artists,have collaborated on this classic bag and horn combination. The bag, based on an original 18th century belt mounted bag,was enlarged slightly to be more appropriate for shoulder carry. Made from cowhide and hand sewn with waxed linen thread, it was finished off with a beautiful adjustable [...]

Scott Bryan has put together a beautiful folk art bag for this year’s auction. This classic kidney shaped bag is made from bark tanned deerhide. The flap features a raised floral motif with fringe accents. The interior of the bag is large enough to hold everything you need for the day. It’s also lined with [...]

Member Artist Allan Quade has forged a wonderful pipe tomahawk for this year’s auction. Every part is carefully hand forged. The head is mild steel with a forge welded tool steel blade. The eye was carefully punched while the steel was hot and drifted to accommodate a beautiful curly maple handle. Allen then takes the [...]