This remarkable, hand carved, miniature elephant from the late 18^th /early 19th century is a rare snuff box made from a very small coquilla nut. Carved in the form of an elephant, it measures only 1.9 inches (4.8 cm) in length. Tusks made of whalebone are a striking added element.

Elephants have played an important role in many cultures and countries throughout the world.  They appear in religious, social, and cultural traditions and mythologies.  In West/West Central Africa, where millions of Africans were forcibly transported to Brazil in the 17^th-19^th centuries to work on sugar plantations, in mines, and in the whaling industry, elephants often symbolized strength and power. They  were associated with Fon rulers in  the Kingdom of Dahomey (now part of Benin).  The Ashanti of Ghana considered the elephant to be a past human chief.  Elephants have been featured on flags or stamps of the Republic of the Congo, the Ivory Coast, and the Kingdom of Dahomey (Benin).

This tiny elephant is one of the newest additions to David Badger’s extensive collection of coquilla nut snuff boxes and bottles.  David has been collecting these unique objects for more than 40 years and continues to be fascinated by the range of artistry, designs, and forms represented by snuff box imagery.  His hope is that by making previously unknown objects created during the transatlantic slave trade more widely available, new research and knowledge will be generated on important subjects which have been ignored or overlooked or erroneously attributed to European creators in the past.  Specifically, he is shining a spotlight on the creators and creations made by enslaved Africans, Brazilians, and Indigenous peoples throughout the Black Atlantic world.

What drew David to this particular miniature snuff box?  In David’s own words:  “Over many years of collecting coquilla nut boxes and bottles, I have acquired a number of animals that were present in the African counties from which many carvers came, as well as animals which they encountered in Brazil or wherever they settled. Monkeys, frogs, lions, dogs, tortoises, and sheep are well represented in my collection. But an elephant! And a miniature one at that! This little representation, carved from a very small nut, is among my most prized acquisitions. In all carvings, however intricate, including those of large  rectangular boxes made of more than one nut, and in all bottles with intricate carvings, never have I found  an elephant. Could this tiny box have ever contained snuff or was it simply a treasured carving of the maker? I would guess it was the latter. And now to be able to share this rare piece with you, the reader, is my greatest honor.”

In the future, this blog will showcase new additions to David’s ever-expanding collection, along with historical information and background context.  Stay tuned!