The great Rhino horn debate, show all?

VANDOO · 12th March 2007, 04:36 PM

JUST FOR FUN HERE IS A 8 FOOT 11 INCH RARE DOUBBLE TUSKED NARWHALE SKULL. THE PICTURES ABOVE ARE OF CHINESE CARVED RHINO HORN DRINKING CUPS I AM SURE THEY WERE NOT USED ALL THE TIME PERHAPS JUST BEFORE BED TO INSURE LOTS OF SONS.

UNFORTUNATELY MY OTHER RHINO PICTURES WON'T COME THRU

tom hyle · 12th March 2007, 05:05 PM

In Europe and India the Rhino horn goblets were supposed to either neutralize and/or identify poisons.

Tim Simmons · 12th March 2007, 07:54 PM

I can understand Rhino horn being used for prestige staffs in Africa. Just getting the horn with simple close range hunting weapons would call for skill and bravery. Like lion claw jewellery it would only be available to the nobility and those who they wanted to reward. I would agree with Mark that it is not the most attractive of material or horn. I am trying to take a picture that shows the matted hair on small area of an artifact I have but I am struggling with ability and equipment. A sword hilt made of Rhino horn must surely relate to the size and power of the beast, the magic mythology and last but not least the very nature of such a wonderful rigid upright horn must impress on a male warriors mind.

RSWORD · 12th March 2007, 08:27 PM

Rhino horn made a very practical handle material as rhino horn becomes somewhat sticky when it gets wet. Therefore, sweaty hands stick to the handle versus sliding around for a much better grip. I agree that there were also some magical properties associated but it had a very practical purpose as well.

Pukka Bundook · 12th March 2007, 08:33 PM

Tim,
Only other positive thing I could add re. rhino horn, is that for a sword handle it does give a very good drip, and doesn't appear to get smooth and 'slick' like cow horn does. I gather it always feels a bit rough, even when wet.
This is just what I'm lead to believe, no first hand knowlege on subject!

Emanuel · 13th March 2007, 03:23 AM

Could it be that rhino horn is simply an exotic, rare animal and as such is a luxury commodity? If they had swarmed Africa and Asia, maybe their horns would not have been as sought after.
Would the density of rhino horn be especially unique? Perhaps people liked the weight of it as a handle, in preference to wood, ivory and other types of horns.

Emanuel

Tim Simmons · 13th March 2007, 08:26 AM

Look at this piece.
http://www.narahaku.go.jp/exhib/2005...hosoin-015.jpg

12th March 2007, 04:36 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	JUST FOR FUN HERE IS A 8 FOOT 11 INCH RARE DOUBBLE TUSKED NARWHALE SKULL. THE PICTURES ABOVE ARE OF CHINESE CARVED RHINO HORN DRINKING CUPS I AM SURE THEY WERE NOT USED ALL THE TIME PERHAPS JUST BEFORE BED TO INSURE LOTS OF SONS. UNFORTUNATELY MY OTHER RHINO PICTURES WON'T COME THRU Attached Images

12th March 2007, 05:05 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	In Europe and India the Rhino horn goblets were supposed to either neutralize and/or identify poisons.

12th March 2007, 07:54 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I can understand Rhino horn being used for prestige staffs in Africa. Just getting the horn with simple close range hunting weapons would call for skill and bravery. Like lion claw jewellery it would only be available to the nobility and those who they wanted to reward. I would agree with Mark that it is not the most attractive of material or horn. I am trying to take a picture that shows the matted hair on small area of an artifact I have but I am struggling with ability and equipment. A sword hilt made of Rhino horn must surely relate to the size and power of the beast, the magic mythology and last but not least the very nature of such a wonderful rigid upright horn must impress on a male warriors mind.

12th March 2007, 08:27 PM	#4
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Rhino horn made a very practical handle material as rhino horn becomes somewhat sticky when it gets wet. Therefore, sweaty hands stick to the handle versus sliding around for a much better grip. I agree that there were also some magical properties associated but it had a very practical purpose as well.

12th March 2007, 08:33 PM	#5
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Tim, Only other positive thing I could add re. rhino horn, is that for a sword handle it does give a very good drip, and doesn't appear to get smooth and 'slick' like cow horn does. I gather it always feels a bit rough, even when wet. This is just what I'm lead to believe, no first hand knowlege on subject!

13th March 2007, 03:23 AM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Could it be that rhino horn is simply an exotic, rare animal and as such is a luxury commodity? If they had swarmed Africa and Asia, maybe their horns would not have been as sought after. Would the density of rhino horn be especially unique? Perhaps people liked the weight of it as a handle, in preference to wood, ivory and other types of horns. Emanuel

13th March 2007, 08:26 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Look at this piece. http://www.narahaku.go.jp/exhib/2005...hosoin-015.jpg