This is a nineteenth century copy of a medieval Norwegian drinking horn. It is intricately carved with interlaced acanthus scrolls and pearl ornament banding. Originally the contents of a horn had to be consumed at one go. By the medieval period, the addition of legs, often in the shape of a bird or animal, allowed the horn to be left unattended without risk of it falling over. These drinking horns were used as ceremonial rather than everyday vessels.