Figurally carved tusk

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Description

ivory, carved in circumferential rows: lizard and elephant motifs allude to royal power, frog motifs may refer to propagation and increase, the stylized spider motif to peace and protection, and the human icon to the king’s retainers, min. dam., small missing parts (rim), fine cracks through age;
probably a work by the carver Bobe Ngincho, who worked in the second half of the 19th century in Babanki-Tungo, the most important center for ivory carving in northwestern Grassfields.

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Comparing literature

Ross, Doran H. (ed.), Elephant, Los Angeles 1992, p. 234, ill. 11-8

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