Sapi-Portuguese Saltcellar

This is the base of a 16th century ivory saltcellar or box. A series of figures can be seen surrounding the base, and supporting the bowl. The British Museum records refer to this as Afro-Portuguese, a term used to indicate items from Sierra Leone and Nigeria, made for a Portuguese market in the 15th and 16th centuries. Such items display a mixture of African and European elements and motifs in their overall form and ornamentation, and were considered prestige items across Europe. A more specific term for items patronised in Sierra Leone, is Sapi-Portuguese.

Further Information

  • Type: Ivories
  • Object: Sapi-Portuguese Saltcellar
  • Materials: Bone, ivory, tooth
  • Culture Group: Bullom, Temne
  • Dimensions: 297mm [H]
  • Production Date: 1490-1530
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: Augustus Wollaston Franks
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.170

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Ivories