Royal Altar Tusk
Artifact IDMO 63.2295
Object Type
Tusk
Date
18th century
Date Presented7/27/1961
Maker
unknown Edo artist
Gifter
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Place of GiftWashington, D.C., United States
Place MadeNigeria, Africa
Medium
Elephant tusk, wood
DimensionsOverall H 52 in (132.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionCarved elephant tusk from the altar of a deceased Oba of Benin. The tusk is carved in registers and should be read starting from the bottom row and moving upward.
Historical NoteThis carved tusk was presented to President John F. Kennedy at a dinner in his honor at the Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C. given by Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa during his state visit to the White House on July 27, 1961.
Additional DetailsCustodial History NoteItem was a gift to President and Mrs. Kennedy from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Prime Minister of Nigeria. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library 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 NoteThis material is not subject to any known copyright or other image use restrictions.Subjects
Not on view
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