Rather a conversation stopper, our rhino horn. It sits on our mantlepiece. My husband put it there next to our stuffed crow. Not my choice A family heirloom, the rhino horn was given to my husband - came from his great uncle who shot the poor rhino many years ago in Africa. My husband is not condoning this - he is not a supporter of blood sports.
As heirlooms go, it is near the bottom of my list of desirables - my dh feels the same way pretty much.
But what should we do with it? Would it be awful to sell it? put the money away for our son's education and/or donate to charity - thus letting great uncle give something of real value to the family? But, diffucult to sell, since trade is illegal. Not sure how the law stands on an heirloom though. I understand crushed rhino horn is believed to hold aphrodisiac powers by some, so highly valued in certain quarters.
Should we hide it in the loft, shelve the problem and pass it onto our sons? Should we wave goodbye to both the heirloom and money side and simply donate it to a museum?
Sorry if this is a tasteless subject, but put yourself in our postion and what would you do?
We did not ask for this, it was given to us. Any suggestions welcome!