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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Royal Altar Tusk
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Royal Altar Tusk

Artifact IDMO 63.2295
Object Type Tusk
Date 19th century
Date Presented7/27/1961
Maker
Gifter
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 Oba of Benin. The tusk is carved in registers in relief and should be read starting from the bottom row and moving upward. The tusk is carved in low medium relief with figures representing the oba (king) with armor and weapons, his attendants, and animals and motifs. Different textile and armor textures are intricately rendered in the carving. The surface of the tusk is slightly shiny with an application of a red-brown patina layer that accents the recesses of the carving.


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 Details
Custodial 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 NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Related Links
https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkpof-122a-008#?image_identifier=JFKPOF-122a-008-p0004  
https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkwhp-1961-07-27-d#?image_identifier=JFKWHP-AR6711-K