Carved European Figure

A carved wooden figure, representing a man sitting at a desk, with a book before him. He is wearing a pith helmet, and it likely to represent a government official. Though it comes from Nigeria, it is included as it was originally collected by a member of Sierra Leone's Krio community, Mrs B. Yorke. From the mid-nineteenth century, Krio traders, missionaries and professionals settled along the coast of West Africa and in settlements on the Niger River. This Krio diaspora maintained close links with Sierra Leone through steam shipping lines, and objects from throughout the region found their way to Freetown where they were sometimes acquired by European collectors. Mrs B. Yorke was a trading merchant, acting as a middleman in the European trade. She was based in Lagos.

Further Information

  • Type: Figures, sculpture
  • Object: Carved European Figure
  • Materials: Wood
  • Culture Group: Other, Krio
  • Dimensions: 290 mm x 115 mm x 75 mm
  • Production Date: Pre 1911
  • Associated Places: South Western Nigeria: Lagos (Created); Sierra Leone (Collected)
  • Associated People: Miss B. Yorke (Collector); A. Ridyard (Donor)
  • Museum: World Museum Liverpool Sierra Leone Collection
  • Accession Number: LIVCM.10.4.11.45

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