RHINOCEROS HORN
0172 In 1874 a volunteers’ bazaar was held at St. Leonards Assembly Room to defray costs of a drill shed for the St. Leonards Artillery Volunteers. A reporter noted the many appealing objects in the art exhibition, concluding:
‘Mr. Maclean’s collection, however, was the chief centre of attraction, he exhibiting some costly articles formerly belonging to the Emperor of China, and which were taken from the summer palace at Pekin. First and foremost came a splendid gold watch inlaid with diamonds, and valued at 2000 guineas, which was presented to the former Emperor of China by Napoleon I., a necklace of jaspar, as worn by a Mandarin of the highest class; two of the Emperor’s seals, an exquisitely carved rhinoceros’s horn, beautifully carved ivory book cover, and an Imperial quilt, formed of ivory shavings, and lined with royal damask.’ (24 October 1874, Hastings and St. Leonard Observer, p. 7.) [0172 also listed under jewelry, timepieces, seals, ivory, and textiles.] February 2016.
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All material on this page, unless otherwise credited, was produced by Kate Hill, who asserts her authorship of the work. © Kate Hill, Yuanmingyuan Artefact Index, 2016.