Rhinoceros Horn Carving of Daoist Immortal (Ascetic) | Qing Dynasty | 1900

Today, the rhinoceros no longer roams the landscape of China Proper along the lower region of the Yellow River. The ever-increasing scarcity of the rhinoceros in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) made its horn eternally precious. The Tang dress code required that the emperor and the crown prince alone could use hairpins made of ‘rhino’ horn to fix in place their imperial crowns, and the officials would wear rhinoceros waistbands according to their ranks. The horn remained an exotic rarity after the Tang Dynasty, and all the while people gradually became totally ignorant of the physical animal itself, except the faint knowledge that it had horns either on the head or at the snout.

Carved Rhinoceros horn carvings are not only beautifully designed as decorative art, but also have the “scholar’s taste”, as the themes of these carvings are not confined to historical figures, landscapes, birds, and flowers. The craftsmen also got their inspiration from ancient literature. The art historian Jan Chapman, author of “The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China,” said associations between rhinoceros horn and long life can be found in various poems in the early Chinese classic compilation “The Book of Songs,” which is believed to date to 500 B.C. Rhinoceros horn was once considered an auspicious material described in ancient literature. It was also carved into objects such as drinking vessels (libation cups), elaborately ornamented with carvings of auspicious symbols and greatly favored by emperors and the wealthy. Rhinoceros horn was originally referred to as Black Ivory.

The value of rhinoceros horn carvings today is not solely dictated by the size or color. The most important factor is the rarity of material, quality of carving, and the subject matter. Collectors strongly prefer unstained horn in its dark honey-colored natural state as the piece shown. Rhinoceros horn is notoriously difficult to carve because of its density and hardness. They are not, as once believed, made simply from a clump of compressed or modified hair. Recent studies by researchers at Ohio University have shown that the horns are, in fact, similar in structure to horses’ hooves, turtle beaks, and cockatoo bills. The inner core of the horn would be for the most part solid, as compared to other animal horn.

This is a Rhinoceros horn carving of Louhan in variegated dark honey color, naturalistically carved in the shape of this Chinese Immortal. Notice the ribbing on his chest indicating that he was an ascetic. Approximate age: 1900. Dimensions: 5-1/2”h x 2-1/8”w x 1-1/2”d

Special Notice
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to purchase if they intend to export this piece outside the United States.