Inscribed Ivory Napkin
Rings
Vili peoples, Republic of the Congo
1890.1387, 1404, 1406

These ivory napkin rings were commissioned by Steckelmann from a Vili
artist. They bear the personalized inscriptions of their owners. According
to Steckelmann, the ivory carvers, who were not literate, were able to
reproduce faithfully the letters furnished to them.
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