This object is a faithful three-dimensional Museum Replica of a late nineteenth-century carved hippopotamus tooth from the Lower Congo River region, today encompassing parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cabinda (Angola). The original work is attributed to a Vili-style carver from the Loango area and belongs to a long tradition of Central African ivory carving produced for both local elites and European trade.
The sculpture is distinguished by its continuous spiral relief, which wraps around the surface of the tooth and organizes a dense sequence of narrative scenes. Human figures, animals, and decorative motifs unfold in a structured vertical flow, reflecting themes of trade, cultural encounter, and social change during a period of intensified interaction between Central Africa and Europe. One notable scene depicts a foreign merchant pouring alcohol from a keg, a reference to European trade goods and the dynamics of nineteenth-century commerce along the Congo River.
The spiral composition is a defining feature of Kongo and Loango ivory carving traditions, documented from at least the sixteenth century. In this object, the spiral functions both as a visual framework and as a symbolic device, suggesting movement, continuity, and historical process. The work represents a hybrid artistic language, combining local cosmological and decorative traditions with European-influenced figural realism.
The original object measures approximately 33 cm in length. This replica preserves the proportions, surface detail, and overall form of the original, adapted for modern production through high-resolution 3D modeling.
Available materials for the Carved Tooth:
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White nylon
A polished nylon material with a smooth surface finish. This is the most economical option and offers a clean, neutral appearance. -
Black nylon
Treated after printing to achieve a durable, scratch-resistant surface with a stable and uniform color. Suitable for repeated production with consistent results. -
Bronze
Produced through metal casting using a 3D-printed wax master model. This process results in a solid object with a refined surface and a traditional sculptural presence. -
Brass (gold plated, white rhodium plated)
Cast using the same wax-based metal casting process. These finishes provide an elegant appearance while retaining the detailed relief of the original carving.
More about the materials: https://www.sculpteo.com/en/materials/
Scale and production notes
Objects that exceed the technical limitations of certain materials are produced at a reduced scale relative to the original.
