A significant part of the Steckelmann collection suggests that rather than just acquire local objects reflective of the inhabitants, Steckelmann interacted with local artisans by commissioning works specifically for his collection. Steckelmann was particularly interested in ivory, an important trade item throughout the area since the seventeenth century. Along the Loango coast of modern-day Gabon, such commerce was dominated by the Vili peoples, who were noted elephant hunters and traders. Steckelmann provided steady business for these ivory carvers, from whom he commissioned a variety of objects clearly fashioned for Western tastes, such as toothpicks, hairpins, collar buttons, napkin rings, letter openers, plain and lettered bracelets, and finger rings.

Of particular note are some twenty-two elephant tusks carved spirally with representations of animals, furnishings, and human figures—both Africans and Europeans. The tusks, known today as Loango ivories, date from about the 1830s to 1900 and are found in museum collections throughout the United States and