Cleveland Museum of Art

Carved Tooth

Date

late 1800s

Medium

Hippopotamus ivory and organic material

Culture

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cabinda, or Republic of the Congo, probably Vili-style maker

Department

African Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This is a fine example of art produced for sale to European visitors in the Lower Congo River area. A long history of cultural and artistic interactions between Africans and Europeans began in 1482, when the Portuguese first established diplomatic ties with the rulers of the Kongo kingdoms. Note the image of a foreign merchant pouring whiskey from a keg. Spiral motifs have been found on Kongo Kingdom ivory carvings since at least the 1500s.

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