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Oliphant

Kongo peoples, Kongo Kingdom

Not on view

The primary visual conceit that Kongo artists endlessly transformed and deconstructed is that of a knot in which the ends of interlaced strands encircle and enjoin to create a contained form. The “endless knot” motif was articulated through processes that layered negative and positive passages of design. Using the adze and fine knives, carvers inscribed geometric patterns that unfold in horizontal and spiraling bands on ivory elephant tusks.

Oliphant, Ivory, Kongo peoples, Kongo Kingdom

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