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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, photography credit Joel Benjamin
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, photography credit Joel Benjamin
Elephant Tusk Lamp
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, photography credit Joel Benjamin
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Elephant Tusk Lamp

Artifact IDMO 63.503a-b
Object Type Lamp
Date before 1962
Date Presented2/5/62
Gifter
Place of GiftWashington, D.C., United States
Place MadeDemocratic Republic of the Congo, Africa
Medium Ivory, wood, wire, metal
DimensionsOverall H 23 in (58.4 cm)
Physical DescriptionCarved elephant tusk lamp with wooden base. Cylindrical lamp is carved in relief with figures engaged in various activities (carrying sacks, holding spears, sitting, playing musical instruments, etc.) in a village scene with trees and huts. The base has two figures of a man and woman carved around the edge. The lamp is wired for a light bulb and has a plug with a switch attached at bottom by wire.
Historical NoteThis lamp was presented to President Kennedy by the prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1961-1964), Cyrille Adoula, during his state visit to the White House on February 5, 1962.

Many state gifts made of elephant ivory were made to President Kennedy during his time in office. Today, they trouble us as we continue to agonize over the fast approach of mass extinction of so many species on the planet. At the time they were given to Kennedy, no one was tracking the decline of the elephant population. Poaching, loss of habitat and now severe droughts brought on by climate change have led to the World Wildlife Federation’s prediction that wild elephants will be extinct by 2040 if current conditions remain unchanged.
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
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Heads of State (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view