A Rhinoceros Horn Bowl, made from an animal killed by David Livingstone in order to feed his men in Central Africa, c.1854

Details

DAVID LIVINGSTONE (1813-1873)
A Rhinoceros Horn Bowl, made from an animal killed by David Livingstone in order to feed his men in Central Africa, c.1854
silver-mounted rim and base, the rim hall-marked Birmingham 1890, with a central silver disk added in 1895 on presentation by Stephens to his nephew, inscribed "E.L.B. From 'Unkey' H.E.S. 1895"
110mm. diameter, 24mm. high

Provenance

David Livingstone, and given by him to Henry E. Stephens, Acting Lieutenant, HMS Frolic.

Special notice

VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Sale room notice

Please note that this lot will require a CITES licence for shipment outside the UK.

Lot Essay

According to an accompanying hand-written note, the horn had been 'given to Lieut: Stephens of H.M.S. "Frolic" [by] the Doctor [Livingstone] when taking him from Quilimane E.C. of Africa to Mauritius in 1856. This bowl was made by the Native workmen in the town of Mozambique.' On arriving at the mouth of Zambezi at Kilimane in 1856, Livingstone completed his 5,000-mile journey across sub-Saharan Africa, the first authenticated crossing by a European and 'one of the two or three greatest feats of land exploration in history'. HMS Frolic had been watching for his arrival, and on an earlier call for Livingstone had lost eight of its crew on the bar. Henry Stephens was Acting Lieutenant on board the Frolic in 1856 when Livingstone and one of his African companions, Sekwebu, sailed from Kilimane to Mauritius, taking advantage of the offer of free passage there by the London Missionary Society at the Cape.

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