This divot tool is made from a domestic Asian Water Buffalo horn (Bubalus bubalis). The domestic Asian Water Buffalo has been an important part of Asian culture for over 5,000 years and has often been called “the living tractor of the East”. There are an estimated 158 million worldwide with 97% in Asia, and of those 50% are in India. They are highly valued for their meat and milk, as well as for labor as draft animals. Their dung is also valued as fertilizer and when dried, a source of fuel. The milk has a high fat content and is the traditional raw material for Mozzarella cheese.
They are very massive animals, often weighing more than a ton, up to 8 feet in length and 6 feet in height. In 1955 a bull was found whose horns measured just over 13 feet from tip to tip but this was most likely a wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee), a much larger species than the domesticated variety with much larger horns. The horn is moderately hard, usually jet black in color but sometimes with green to brownish hues, and takes a very high polish.
This tool is almost jet black, like most Water Buffalo horn, but shows a very subtle grain pattern. It is a full 3" in length, just shy of 1" in width and 3/8" thick. Weight is 10.36 grams.
