Ivory Box
A carved ivory, bowl-shaped, box. The bottom half is decorated with two panels, each containing two crocodiles in relief. The lid is topped with a male Janus head, referring to a face appearing on the front, and back. This is likely to be a Sapi-Portuguese item; a term coined by the Portuguese in the 15th century to refer to items patronised for the European market. Such items often display a mixture of African and European elements and motifs in their overall form.
Further Information
- Type: Ivories
- Object: Ivory Box
- Materials: Bone, ivory, tooth
- Culture Group: Bullom, Temne
- Dimensions: 156mm [H]
- Production Date: 1490-1530
- Associated Places: Unknown
- Associated People: J. J. Klejman
- Museum: British Museum
- Accession Number: BM:Af.1952.18.1.a
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