Hi Jim, Other than to say ivory costs more than horn or wood there not much I can add about its use, It seems most common in the 20th century on pieces made for sale to westerners.
In the 19th century it seems commoner amongst Nepals elite as well as British officers.
As an Rhino horn gripped kukris carries a definate meaning, as Post about 1850 only the Nepali Royal Family & Prime Minster were legaly allowed to have Rhino horn grips made, so there the rarest realy. Ive seen a dozen or more sold or described as rhino horn but in reality only 3 realy were. Luckily I have one of them. It used the black central cut from the middle of the horn, so it was certanly made to order for a important personage.
Spiral
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