Ethiopian 19th century Gurade

Cerjak · 30th January 2015, 11:53 AM

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 !

roanoa · 31st January 2015, 04:19 AM

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

Battara · 31st January 2015, 06:13 AM

I love the silver filigree work!

Sajen · 31st January 2015, 12:35 PM

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

Martin Lubojacky · 2nd February 2015, 09:13 AM

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

ariel · 2nd February 2015, 04:07 PM

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!

30th January 2015, 11:53 AM	#1
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,065	Ethiopian 19th century Gurade 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 ! Attached Images

31st January 2015, 04:19 AM	#2
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 234	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

31st January 2015, 06:13 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I love the silver filigree work!

31st January 2015, 12:35 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	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

2nd February 2015, 09:13 AM	#5
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	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

2nd February 2015, 04:07 PM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	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!