Carved Dayak Ear Ring

[VANDOO]

THE HORNBILL IVORY HAS BEEN IN DEMAND FOR A VERY LONG TIME THE CHINESE TRADERS WERE FOND OF IT LONG AGO. I SUSPECT THAT THESE DAYS THE DEMAND FOR HORNBILL ITEMS IS NOT AS HIGH AS IT WAS IN THE PAST AS THE LOCAL POPULATIONS DON'T WEAR THEM MUCH ANYMORE. I DOUBT THAT THE NUMBER OF HORNBILL EARING COLLECTORS TODAY ARE AS GREAT AS THE DEMAND OF THE ORIGINAL TRIBES IN THE PAST. I KNOW THE HORNBILL AND ARGUS PHESANT FEATHERS ARE STILL IN DEMAND FOR CEREMONIAL OCCASIONS BUT THESE CAN BE MORE EFFECIENTLY GATHERED BY RAISING THE BIRDS FOR THE FEATHERS THAN BY KILLING THEM. SO I WOULD IMAGINE LOSS OF HABITAT AND FOOD SOURCES MAY BE MORE OF A DANGER TO THE BIRDS TODAY THAN THE FASHON OF WEARING THE EARRINGS. I COULD BE WRONG BUT LACKING ANY STUDIES ON THE SUBJECT IT WOULD BE MY BEST GUESS.
HERE IS AN OLD PICTURE OF HORNBILL EARRINGS BEING WORN, AND THE HEAVY BRASS ONES BEING WORN.