Worldwide media recently took note of a record-breaking find at
the July 23rd Tulsa, Oklahoma taping of the popular PBS program,
Antiques Roadshow. Five 17th-18th-century Chinese libation cups
made from carved rhinoceros horn shattered all records to become
the highest-appraised objects in the history of the program.
Seeing this as a great opportunity to engage the public’s
interest and further the conversation, a decision was made to
exhibit these pieces, to complement works from Philbrook’s own
collection of Asian carvings. “This exhibition is a focused look
at exquisite examples of fine craftsmanship by Chinese artists
from the 17th to 19th century. Philbrook is thrilled to share
these works with the community,” says Christina E. Burke,
Philbrook’s Curator of Native American and Non-Western Art.
Throughout history rhinoceros horn and other materials like
ivory and jade have been considered auspicious materials prized
for their scarcity and for the inherent qualities they were
believed to have, including me