Rhino Horn Knobkerrie ?

[David]

Originally Posted by katana

Rhino horn for a drum stick seems to be a bit extravagent.

Well David, i know very little about knobkerries and i am not at all certain about the purpose or uses of this particular stick, but i will remark that given the extreme importance of the drum in African societies i would not realyl find it all that extravagant for the stick of an important ceremonial drum to have a drum stick made of rhino horn. Certainly it's not too farfetched that a drum like the one posted below might warrant such an important striking tool.

[VANDOO]

KNOBKERRIES MADE OF RHINO HORN ARE TO BE FOUND IF YOU ARE VERY LUCKY. YOURS IS ABOUT THE RIGHT LEGNTH ALL THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN LONGER EXAMPLES. IF IT HAS ENOUGH WEIGHT AND HEFT TO CRACK A SKULL I WOULD GO WITH KNOBKERRIE. I HAD NEVER HEARD OF DRUMSTICKS MADE OF IT BUT SEE NO REASON WHY IT COULD NOT BE USED AS RHINO WAS CONSIDERED TO HAVE STRONG MAGICAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES BY MANY SOCIETYS AND DRUMS OFTEN HELD AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN THOSE TRIBES.
THERE SHOULD BE SOME OTHER POSTS MENTIONING THEM SO A SEARCH OF ALL THE ARCHIVES MIGHT TURN SOMETHING UP. CONGRADULATIONS ON A RARE FIND YOU LUCKY VARMIT

[katana]

Originally Posted by David

Well David, i know very little about knobkerries and i am not at all certain about the purpose or uses of this particular stick, but i will remark that given the extreme importance of the drum in African societies i would not realyl find it all that extravagant for the stick of an important ceremonial drum to have a drum stick made of rhino horn. Certainly it's not too farfetched that a drum like the one posted below might warrant such an important striking tool.

Hi David,
I think I should have made the reason for my comment more clearly . Agreed the drum was/is important to African culture. Rhino horn has certain characteristics that make it ideal for knife / sword handles ....princibly its 'grippiness' when wet with moisture (sweat) or blood ...so for any hand-held weapon it would be useful. I had searched for any examples of drum sticks made from Rhino.....but can find no reference whatsoever. All the 'knobkerrie' shaped drumsticks I have found in various Anthropological websites are wooden. Lovely drum that you posted ...certainly deserves a 'status' drumstick.

Hi Vandoo,
thank you for your comments .....although not big ( knobkerrie envy ....is there such a thing ) it would certainly make you 'see stars' ....the very slight flex in the shaft possibly adding to the impact 'energy'. I agree ......'lucky Varmit' ....a surprised one ....never thought that this could Rhino (only had pictures and had not handled it before buying)

Thanks Colin,
I am now 90% certain this is Rhino horn ..... I cant find similar sized examples .... can anyone post some. I remember Tim had a very good example, but was much larger ( knobkerrie envy.....again )

Kind Regards David

[spiral]

Congratulations David, certanly looks like rhino horn to me as well.

spiral

[katana]

Originally Posted by katana

... can anyone post some. I remember Tim had a very good example, but was much larger ( knobkerrie envy.....again )

Kind Regards David

Just remembered it was not a knobkerrie, but a staff/walking stick .

Originally Posted by spiral

Congratulations David, certanly looks like rhino horn to me as well.

spiral

Thanks Spiral.



Unfortunately there seems to be little information on the web, regarding Rhino Horn Knobkerries. I would be grateful for any further info.

Here is a similar example that has sold on Artzi's site.....

"......A rare example of a Zulu Knobkerri war club carved entirely of Rhino Horn. It is 16 ½ inches long made from a beautiful piece of Rhino Horn with a 2 X 2 inches rounded nicely symmetrical head....."

[katana]

Other than the two examples that were sold on Artzi's site and a Rhino horn hafted axe ..sold at auction. I cannot find any others to help me value this for insurance purposes ie sold prices are not shown). If anyone has an idea as to approximate value could you please PM me.

I did find a reference to the the fact that Rhino horn was literally 'worth its weight in gold' (ref. dated 2005) ....at todays gold prices it would mean, for this knobkerrie, over £800 .....which seems far too much !!

I hope I have not breached the rules (discussing possible value)

Regards David

[katana]

Thank you Lew, Tribalarms and Rick (RSword),

for your PM's , very much appreciated.


Kind Regards David

[Tim Simmons]

David, I do hope this is R horn.

I do not want to take the wind from your sails, I have exprienced it enough myself and proofing your point though a PC is hard work. What one has to bare in mind is how large the horns of some African cattle are. The tips of Bovine horn are solid. I myself am unsure about the item. I like it and was watching it.
One thing I can say is that as a form it lacks status and gravitas in its production, it is also rather short.

[katana]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

David, I do hope this is R horn.

I do not want to take the wind from your sails, I have exprienced it enough myself and proofing your point though a PC is hard work. What one has to bare in mind is how large the horns of some African cattle are. The tips of Bovine horn are solid. I myself am unsure about the item. I like it and was watching it.
One thing I can say is that as a form it lacks status and gravitas in its production, it is also rather short.

Hi Tim,
there is no bony core (evident in bovine horn), the 'knob' / handle end has an 'orange textured' surface. Hot pin test proves keratin. Using a 'wetted' hand' I can grip this as easily as with a 'dry' hand.
I am sure that this is Rhino.

" ...lacks status and gravitas in its production, it is also rather short" ....not certain what you mean. Both of Artzis examples have larger heads (one only slightly), mine is 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" (one of his is 2"x2") however, in length mine is the same as the longest ie 22", the other was 'only' 16.5". I cannot see any significant difference in their production Other than some Rhino horn 'hafted' axes I cannot found any other picture of similar knobkerries, if you have pictures of examples that have gravitas and status please post them, so that I can 'see what you mean'.

All the best
David