Rare imperial handle in carved rhinoceros* horn and chased gilt bronze.

Rare imperial handle in carved rhinoceros* horn and chased gilt bronze. The central part in rich dark-brown horn skilfully carved with a dragon coiled among clouds. The ends mounted in finely chased gilded bronze with acanthus leaves and finished with a blossoming flower on one side, a row of finely chased stylized lotus petals on the other, with a hole in the center to accommodate the now missing upper part.
Possibly a Buddhist ritual object, similar to the Kangling ritual trumpets.

Height: 11.5 cm
Diameter: 2 cm
Gross weight: 35.3g

*Specimen worked in a horn of Rhinoceros spp* (Rhinocerotidae spp) 1/A pre-convention, in compliance with the AM of May 4, 2017 allowing the commercial use of specimens worked in horn of Rhinocerotidae spp.