Tumbuk lada with Malayan rhino horn handle?

Green · 5th March 2020, 01:59 PM

This tumbuk lada was auctioned today and it was described as follows:-

A 19TH CENTURY MALAYAN RHINO HORN AND STEEL KRIS DAGGER having a carved horn handle with white metal mounts and wooden scabbard. (approx 36cm)

Questions:

Based on these two not very good photos from the auction site, can we ascertain that it is really in fact from rhino horn?

What are characteristic features of rhino horn that can be used to determine it?

The dress and blade look too ordinary to merit a rhino horn handle and also, the carving at the end of the handle looks rather crude.

Appreciate comments.

Thanks

Nik

5th March 2020, 01:59 PM	#1
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 312	Tumbuk lada with Malayan rhino horn handle? This tumbuk lada was auctioned today and it was described as follows:- A 19TH CENTURY MALAYAN RHINO HORN AND STEEL KRIS DAGGER having a carved horn handle with white metal mounts and wooden scabbard. (approx 36cm) Questions: Based on these two not very good photos from the auction site, can we ascertain that it is really in fact from rhino horn? What are characteristic features of rhino horn that can be used to determine it? The dress and blade look too ordinary to merit a rhino horn handle and also, the carving at the end of the handle looks rather crude. Appreciate comments. Thanks Nik Attached Images