Sapi-Portuguese Saltcellar

This is a 16th century ivory saltcellar or box. The conical base depicts three female figures, alternating with crocodiles. One the figures looks like it is positioned in front of a crucifix. A snake can be seen spiralling up towards 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: Unknown
• Production Date: Pre 1949
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: D. K. Oldman
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1949.46.177

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