British auction house cancels rhino horn artifact sale

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Bonhams announced the cancellation of the sale of 21 artifacts made from rhino horns on Friday, following criticism from wildlife conservationists.

The British auction house had invited bidders to an auction featuring 21 pieces carved out of rhino horns, including libation cups used for ceremonial purposes in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The artifact collection titled, “Exceptional Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Carvings from the Angela Chua Collection” was due for auction at Bonhams in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on November 27.

Last week, the Chinese mainland reinstated its policy banning the use of rhino horns and tiger parts in traditional medicine, as well as for scientific and cultural purposes.

"The government bans the import and export of rhinos, tigers and their byproducts; strictly ban the sale, purchase, transport, carrying and mailing of rhinos, tigers and their byproducts; and strictly ban the use of rhino horns and tiger bones in medicine,” State Council Executive Deputy Secretary-General Ding Xuedong told Xinhua.

The auction house has also committed to removing rhino horn items from all future sales. "In the future, Bonhams will not offer artifacts made entirely or partly from rhinoceros horn in its salerooms,” Matthew Girling, Global CEO, Bonhams maintained in a public pledge.

Environmentalists and wildlife conservationists feared the auction of artifacts made from rhino horns would trigger demand, further increasing poaching of the critically endangered pachyderm.

Massive poaching and habitat loss have nearly wiped out the wild rhino population. Only two Northern White Rhinos are left on the planet, Sumatran rhinos are fewer than 100, and barely 60 Javan rhinos are left in the wild.

Asian rhino species have been decimated to the extent that only 3,500 one-horned rhinos survive in Nepal and India.

“The rhino will only survive if the trade in their horns, in whatever form, is stopped,” John Baker, Managing Director, WildAid, an environment protection organization said.

Around 37 wildlife conservation groups had petitioned Bonhams to stop the auction. “We congratulate Bonhams for taking this important step,” Alex Hofford, Wildlife Campaigner, WildAid HKSAR maintained.

As per the local law, rhino horns or related products procured before 1975 needs documented proof issued by CITES. However, ascertaining the age of a rhino horn is a time-consuming process requiring a carbon test.

With Bonham's announcement to remove artifacts made from rhino horns from the auction, activists are demanding Sotheby's to make a similar decision.

“We now call on Sotheby's to join Christie's and Bonhams as like-minded and ethical auction houses by canceling its November 29 rhino horn sale in HKSAR,” Hofford added.

(Top Photos: Artifacts made from rhino horns displayed on Bonham's website.)