Hilt material

[adamb]

Hi all; does anyone have any insight into the hilt material? It's obviously horn (tanduk) of some kind, which means it would normally be buffalo/cow, but I'm a bit puzzled by the greenish-brown colour.

I've shown photos to a western collector who says it is buffalo horn, and to a major Indonesian collector in South Sulawesi who says rhino horn.

The material is semi-translucent, as the pic with the torch light shows.

Any insight appreciated. Thanks.

[Sajen]

Water buffalo horn, not rhino!

Regards,
Detlef

[David]

I agree that it is buffalo horn. I don't see any evidence of the tubular structure that is common to rhino horn.
Still a lovely hilt though.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by David

Still a lovely hilt though.

Sadly is the nose broken!

[adamb]

Thanks all for clearing this up. Does anyone have a similar shot of buffalo horn in section?

And yes, sadly some breakage on this otherwise nice hilt

[Rick]

A view like this?
This is very old horn, probably over a century plus.
Looks like wood grain. Lots of grime and dirt = patina.

[Rafngard]

I have a keris with a similar buffalo horn hilt, and a some fairly nice silver.

This one is one of my favs.

Have fun,
Leif

[milandro]

Water Buffalo Horn

one of my favourite materials, shame about the breakage.

Black buffalo horn are not difficult to find and they could be easily replaced if that is what you are aiming at