These figures purchased in the 1950’s, use a heavier wood (than the two earlier posts), darker toned; finish enhanced with polish.
They probably come from Kenya.
Three Rhinoceros. The ‘two-toned’ effect of one shows both heartwood and outer wood.
Female Rhino horns are longer than the males.
Another Tortoise. Heavier than the previous one (in an earlier post), makes a good paperweight.
The hard wood is not suitable for hot poker-work.
All these figures were collected in East Africa, mainly from Tanganyika – now Tanzania, during the early 1950’s.
Joe Lucas August 2012
See Joe’s African safari articles: [1] A bad short cut down the Muse Escarpment!
[18] The Silent Key
[19] A sting in the tail – deadly scorpion
[20] Sundowners on African safari’s
[21] A Dog’s Life in a hotel bar on an African safari