Ivory Box Lid

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 Lid
• Materials: Bone, ivory, tooth
• Culture Group: Bullom, Temne
• Dimensions: 156mm [H]
• Production Date: Pre 1952
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: J. J. Klejman
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1952.18.1.b

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