Ivory and Rhino Horn: Artifacts on the Brink of Extinction

Author: Lü Jianchang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Elephants and rhinoceroses are both rare animals protected by the World Wildlife Fund today. However, ivory and rhino horn have been important materials for ancient Chinese handicraft carvings. The long-standing tradition of ancient Chinese carving art has left us countless ivory and rhino horn carvings, reflecting the infinite wisdom and artistic creativity of ancient artisans. Today, due to the rarity of the animals themselves, the materials of their tusks and horns have become even more precious. The production of ivory carvings has become increasingly rare in China, while rhino horn carving has already vanished. Faced with the impending extinction of traditional art, people can only try to slow down its disappearance but cannot change its fate. If the crisis faced by national traditional arts like Kunqu Opera and shadow puppetry today is caused by the impact of foreign cultures and changes in modern lifestyles, then the impending disappearance of ivory and rhino horn carving tradition is due to the extreme scarcity of ivory and rhino horn materials. As a result, the limited ivory and rhino horn carvings left by the ancients have become increasingly precious today. This booklet aims to describe the craftsmanship and value of ivory and rhino horn carvings, hoping to draw people's attention to the collection and protection of these endangered crafts. At the same time, it hopes to raise awareness about the protection of precious wildlife like elephants and rhinoceroses. Only when these rare animals are no longer on the brink of extinction and instead thrive can the ivory and rhino horn carving craft, which relies on these materials, continue to be preserved and developed.