Carved Elephant Tusk Section

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.