Object Details
- Label Text
- This ivory tusk, collected in 1861, is an example of an important tradition of export art. It was carved by an artist who lived along the Loango coast in the Congo region. He rendered with detail a series of pictorial sequences in relief that spiral the length of the tusk. Figures in the scenes depict everyday Loango life as experienced by coastal peoples during the latter half of the 19th century. Although damaged (the head of the female figure finial is broken off and missing) it has both interesting imagery that relates to trade and local traditions and a base that documents its collection history: Paymaster Geo. Kennedy U.S. Navy to Dudley Kavanagh 1863 Procured on West Coast of Africa in 1861.
- The scenes are separate vignettes and not meant to be read as a continuous story. Among the important representations on the tusk are: hauling fish on a rope, men with guns and monkey, man with double gong, bird.
- Certain motifs and details of the horn combined with its narrative composition point toward an interpretation that is linked to Kongo notions of death and the afterlife.
- Description
- Ivory tusk with spiral relief carving of Africans with finial of female with head missing. Reliefs include hauling fish on a rope, men with guns and a monkey, a man with a double gong and a bird.
- Provenance
- George Kennedy, U.S. Navy, 1861 to 1863
- Dudley Kavanagh, 1863
- Edward Eliçofon, New York, -- to 1974
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
- Image Requests
- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Date
- 1861
- Maker
- Kongo artist
- Geography
- Loango coast, Congo
- Topic
- fish
- bird
- mother and child
- musical instrument
- weapon
- monkey
- male
- See more items in
- National Museum of African Art Collection
- Credit Line
- Gift of Edward I. Eliçofon
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Object number
- 74-20-1
- Type
- Sculpture
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Medium
- Ivory, wood
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 34.4 x 13.5 x 13.5 cm (13 9/16 x 5 5/16 x 5 5/16 in.)
- Record ID
- nmafa_74-20-1
3D Model