Town and architecture in Congo, 1885-1940

Theme: trade/industry, city, buildings
Place of production: Democratic Republic of the Congo > Katanga > Elisabethville
Legend: This building, situated in the heart of the commercial centre of Lubumbashi, dates from the mid-1920s. It is a good example of the Art Deco style that was being introduced in Katanga at that time. The name Elakat stands for Compagnie d'Elevage et d'Alimentation du Katanga, a company that was founded in 1925 by Barnett Smith, a Russian who had built a career as a butcher and cattle dealer in South Africa and what was then Rhodesia before settling in Congo.
Acquisition related person: Colonial Office as donor
Date of acquisition: 1941-03-12
Original legend: Magasins Elakat
Inventory number: AP.0.1.2702