CARVED RHINO HORN PRICE GOES THROUGH THE ROOF AT AUCTION IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND. A rare carved pair of antique rhino horns has sold for 5 times the estimated price after a heated bidding war at an auction in Auckland late this week. The 19thC Chinese carved horns exceeded all expectations when they fetched $797,300 at the Webbs Auction house. They had been expected to sell for between $120,000 & $150,000. This is one of the highest prices ever achieved for antique carved rhinoceros horns globally & is the highest price ever achieved across the New Zealand antique market, a spokesman for the auction house said. A room full of stunned bidders watched as the price climbed while 5 bidders were engaged up to the $500,000 level while 2 bidders took it from there & fiercely fought to win the horns. The horns were previously in the collection of Sir John Budd Phear, a Sri Lankan high court judge & anthropologist. His son, Gilbert Phear migrated to New Zealand in the early 20thC and the horns have been passed down through the family. The richly intricate decorations on the horns represent the Chinese symbols of beauty, perseverance, healing & longevity - at the expense of the life of the poor rhino(s), I venture to add!!
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 08:51:58 +0000
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