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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 1,065
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I just received thisEthiopian 19th century Gurade .
Is mounted with a cavalry-sized heavy European blade The hilt is formed out of two pieces of rhinoceros horn . The rhino horn is very valuable . I am told that there is people who are buying such sword only for the hilt. They are not collectors but they only want to make money with the rhino horn grip . The old rhino horn is sold as an aphrodisiac ( market price in china rhino horn powder is more than 60.000 us $ /kg so many old swords will disappear from the collector market ! So after the rhinoceros who are the first victim from this crazy market ,ethnographic weapons should be the next one ! |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 232
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Mon ami. I agree with everything you say. Yes, it is a shame. However, let's not advertise the value of the horn or we risk to play into the "enemy's" hand. Cheers, RON
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#3 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,200
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I love the silver filigree work!
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,731
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Very nice sword, congrats Cerjak! A shame that some parts of the handle are missing. All true what you writing, I've heard that rhino horn hunters contact dealers for ethnograhic items and ask for rhino horn and willing to pay very high prices. Hopefully they are collectors as well and don't sell to them.
Regards, Detlef |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 841
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Rhino horn "hunters" directly contacted Ethiopian antique and ethnografic dealers in Addis Abeba at the beginning/mid of 90 ies. That time you could see Ethiopian dealers selling such handles separately - and blades separately, too. The buyers were often from Yemen. I consider this irreversible and very big detriment perpetrated on Etjhiopian antiquities.
Regads, Martin |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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Why do they need rhino horn when Viagra is available, cheaper and incomparably more effective?
The revenge of the rhinos: swallow several thousands $$ worth on congealed hair and still point south:-) Serves the bastards right! |
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