Art in Kongo was central to understanding their culture and views of other human beings. There most prominent exports were slaves, ivory and copper. The Portuguese coming to Kongo greatly affected the taste in art and luxury goods. Ivory was very important in this transition of finery. Royals in Kongo often commissioned pieces like Oliphants which were side-blown horns. These horns were designed as a musical instrument but were often given as gifts or sold to elite Portuguese, missionaries or merchants. Also they were used for group hunts. In Europe religious and decorative ivory sculptures were very popular. Within the 18th and 19th century, ivory became a well known medium it became a high demand export and was used in mass production of billiard balls, handles for knives, piano keys as well as combs.African art and Portuguese were no longer consider separate and formed a new type of art called Afro-Portuguese. Their style of art focused on plain animal and human bodies. Most artwork focused on scenes or lots of open space. Human faces depicted long and realistic. Smooth faces that were idealistic were normal


The lost wax process which was used often during the height of the Kongo Kingdom involved the use of beeswax or latex. The use of this process started way before the Portuguese came to Africa, so the process was an African process. The process is started by wax being melted and then sculpted into the object desired and then it was given time to cool. As the wax cooled layers of clay were applied to the mold. Then when the clay was fully applied then the whole figure would be heated until the inside of mold melted. The clay portion of the figurine is opened and liquid metal is poured into the cast. Then it set to cool. When the figure is completely cooled, the mold is opened again and the metal figurine is fully formed and sculpted.


Art in Kongo was very advanced for their time. Europeans when coming to Africa observed their art and then went back to Europe and claimed the processes as their own as they could not admit the immense work done by the Africans. Ivory is not in use as it used to be because of Animal Protection Rights deeming the use of ivory from elephant tusks inhumane.