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Oliphant

16th century
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
Ivory artifacts contributed to the majesty of courts along the Congo River and the Loango coast. Much esteemed for their size and strength, elephants ranked highly among royal icons. Their precious ivory marked the status of royal wives, who had the right to wear ivory arm rings. At the cemetery at Loandjili, near Buali, where crowned kings were buried, graves were marked by the most highly prized tusks. As trade developed with Europe, ivory was one of the most desirable regional resources.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Oliphant
  • Date: 16th century
  • Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Republic of the Congo; Cabinda, Angola
  • Culture: Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
  • Medium: Ivory
  • Dimensions: L. 15 3/4 in. (40 cm), Diam. 2 3/8
  • Classification: Bone/Ivory-Musical Instruments
  • Credit Line: Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon

  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing