Skip to main content
Royal Fishing Party
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, photography credit Joel Benjamin
Royal Fishing Party
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, photography credit Joel Benjamin
Copyright and other proprietary rights in material on this site may be held by individuals or entities other than or in addition to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The John F. Kennedy Library does not warrant that the use of materials displayed on this site will not infringe on the rights of third parties, such as artists or artists' heirs holding the rights to these works. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions before copying, transmitting, or making other use of protected items beyond that allowed by "fair use," as such term is understood under the United States Copyright Act. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum respects the intellectual property rights of others. The John F. Kennedy Library may, in appropriate circumstances and at its discretion, remove, disable and/or terminate access to any material on or linked to or from this site that it suspects to be infringing upon a third party's intellectual property rights or other rights.

Royal Fishing Party

Artifact IDMO 63.491
Object Type Sculpture
Date c. 1960
Date Presented6/15/1962
Place of GiftWashington, D.C., United States
Place MadeDahomey, Africa
Medium Brass
DimensionsOverall W 16 1/2 in x D 4 in (41.9 cm x 10.2 cm )

Physical DescriptionBrass sculpture of 12 figures sitting and standing in a pirogue (flat bottomed boat). The central figure is seated and is being shaded by an umbrella held by an attendant. Two figures (one at bow, other at stern) paddle while others fish.
Historical NoteThis brass sculpture was presented to President Kennedy in the Oval Office of the White House on April 17,1961 by Ambassador Louis Ignacio-Pinto, on behalf of President Hubert Maga of Dahomey.


Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift from a foreign official to the President and First Lady received through the Executive office during the Kennedy Administration and transferred to the General Service Administration where it was held until donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteThis material is not subject to any known copyright or other image use restrictions.
Not on view
Related Links
Archives folder visit from good-will mission of Dahomey, Africa: Archives folder of good-will visit from Dahomey, Africa"