Hippopotamus tooth

Museum number: UEM7398 

Material: Hippopotamus tooth 

Region and Culture: Loango 

Description: Carved hippopotamus tooth from Loango. The edge of the tooth is in the shape of a female figure who is kneeling. The remaining part of the relief carvings are spiral shaped and is filled by women, men and children identified as both European and Congolese. Trade with European and Scandinavian and Middle Eastern countries influenced the Loango coast. Trade thus had an effect on the imagery carved on ivory objects from the area. The decoration on the tooth suggests that it may have been produced with the purpose of being sold as a souvenir to European traders in Congo. Length 30 cm.  

The object was possibly gifted to the museum by J.F.G Umlauff and his museum Umlauff Museum in Hamburg. Date unknown.