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Carved Elephant Tusk Section

Date1875–80
place madeCabinda, Angola, Africa
MediumIvory
DimensionsOverall: 32 in. (81.3 cm)
Credit LineBequest of Charles F. and Abigail L. Olney
Object number1904.157
Status
On view
More Information
This ivory tusk, probably dating to the late 19th century, is an example of an important tradition of export art. A tusk this size would take approximately sixteen months to carve. The surface is covered with a lively series of everyday Loango life in relief that spiral the length of the tusk. The scenes are separate vignettes and not meant to be read as a continuous story. Tusks such as this one were nonfunctional and were made for Europeans as prestige souvenirs. European and indigenous people are portrayed alongside animals such as monkeys, fish, and crabs.
Exhibition History
A Matter of Taste: The African Collection at the Allen Memorial Art Museum
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (January 2, 2002 - June 2, 2002 )
Afterlives of the Black Atlantic
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (January 20, 2019 - May 24, 2020 )
Collections
  • On View
  • African & Oceanic
This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator. Noticed a mistake? Have some extra information about this object? Please contact us.
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