Tusk Table

A historical image of a hallway. In the forefront there is a table with curved elephant tusks. On the wall are decorated with patterned shields.
The Back Hall of Eldon House taken by Milly Harris, 1900.
A closet with an oval top. At the bottom there are two curved elephant tusks sitting on a bedsheet.
Tusk table in storage

Country of Origin: likely Angola  
Year: ca. 1900 
Materials: Metal and ivory   

Ronald Harris purchased many furniture items produced by British and American companies in Africa. This tusk table was one of the larger pieces brought home after his work trips in the early 1900s. This table has a round metal top that was supported by four large elephant tusks. For many years this item was in the Back Hall,  though when the house became a Museum, it was taken off display due to conservation concerns. The metal tabletop is far too heavy for the ivory legs, and museum staff have often wondered how it stood in the first place! Now it remains in storage, with some of the tusks on display in the other parts of the Museum.  

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.