The following was noted in the museum's main catalogue when this object was received: "'Altar' of Maloango, supreme god of the Loangos. Large wooden carving. It rests on the back of a leopard and carries a snakeskin-covered drum on top. The space in between, the ceiling of which is supported by two snakes, contains two loosely positioned female figures, one with a child, in two tiers one above the other. Height 1.04 metres. 'This altar is only kept in the king's flat and is only displayed on festive occasions, when a different story is told by the priest for each figure. Loango.".