Another important collection, acquired in the early years of the museum, is the ivory religious sculptures of businessman and collector Souza Lima, purchased by President Getúlio Vargas in a certain modality promoted by the Caixa Econômica Federal in 1940.
Souza Lima, a businessman and collector, donated to the museum early on some religious sculptures carved from ivory. These were later acquired by President Getúlio Vargas via a specific method facilitated by the Caixa Econômica Federal in 1940.