The Worshipful Company of Horners, in collaboration with the Plastics Historical Society (PHS) and the Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP), organized an exhibition titled “Horn an Everyday Plastic” to showcase their remarkable collections of horn artifacts. The exhibition was held at London Metropolitan University’s Frederick Parker Gallery from July 10th to September 5th, 2012.
The exhibition, curated by Dr. John Cross, featured around 235 exhibits, with 150 items from the Horners’ collection, including pieces from the Jen Cruse collection of combs. The displayed artifacts included jewelry, tableware, and innovative designs by students from London Metropolitan University that incorporated horn and plastic materials.
The exhibition highlighted the versatility of horn, which is made from keratin and can be softened by heat, as a natural plastic. It also explored the history and development of synthetic plastics, including Bakelite, which was introduced by Leo Baekeland in 1907.
The Horners Livery Company is one of the 108 Livery Companies in London, and it supports education and various science-based charities. The exhibition focused on themes such as “Eating and Drinking,” featuring drinking vessels, condiment sets, and cutlery made from horn and plastic materials.
“Personal Grooming and Adornment” showcased the use of horn in brooches, buckles, and combs throughout history, including decorative back combs and Art Deco imitations in Celluloid. The exhibition also featured horn powder flasks and beautifully engraved shoe horns.
The history of horn as a decorative material was emphasized, with Queen Victoria exhibiting her horn collection, leading to the use of horn for beads and brooches. Horn was used to imitate the more expensive jet for mourning jewelry, later imitated by synthetic plastics like phenol formaldehyde.
Horn plates were used for glazing lanterns, playing a crucial role in early street lighting in London.
A fully illustrated catalogue and sets of playing cards featuring the Horners’ treasures were available for a small donation to the Master’s Charity.
The exhibition provided a comprehensive look at the historical and contemporary uses of horn and plastic materials, highlighting their significance in various aspects of daily life.
