Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Elephant Table
Artifact IDMO 1971.46
Object Type
Table, Side
Maker
Unknown
Dateca. 1946
Mediumwood, ivory
Dimensionsoverall H 23 in x W 32 in x D 23 in (58.4 cm x 81.3 cm x 58.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionA wooden side table with a base consisting of a carved figure of a standing elephant with eyes made of ivory. The figure of the elephant supports a thick, oval tabletop.
Historical NoteThis elephant table was used by Eleanor Roosevelt in her East 74th Street apartment in New York City.The table was presented to the First Lady at the “Festival of Dance and Music” for the African Academy of Arts and Research in New York City on April 26, 1946.
Mrs. Roosevelt mentioned this table in her autobiography published in 1958, “On My Own.” She noted that it was given to her “by a boy from Nigeria who was then a student in this country but now is finance minister in his own land.” Mrs. Roosevelt was referring to Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe, who was President of the African Academy of Arts and Research in 1945 while also attending Columbia University. He later went on to become Nigeria’s Minister of Commerce in 1957.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteLent to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr. in 1963. It was donated as a bequest of FDR, Jr. to the Library in 1991.
Credit LineBequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view
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