Fragment of a Saltcellar
1 of 3
Object Label
During the first half of the sixteenth century, Sapi craftsmen in Sierra Leone became famous for carving ivory objects for export to Europeans. This “saltcellar” actually was never meant to hold salt, but served as an ornamental pedestal cup. Now missing its lid, the cup originally had a series of four human figures—two males wearing trousers (most likely depictions of Europeans) and two nude females—alternating with four dogs around the base. Only fragments of these carved human and animal figures remain.
Caption
Sapi. Fragment of a Saltcellar, 16th century. Ivory, 6 3/8in. (16.2cm) Other (Diameter of bottom): 6 3/8 x 4 5/8 x 4 5/8 in. (16.2 x 11.7 x 11.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection, 52.169. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 52.169_SL1.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Fragment of a Saltcellar
Date
16th century
Geography
Place made: Sierra Leone
Medium
Ivory
Classification
Dimensions
6 3/8in. (16.2cm) Other (Diameter of bottom): 6 3/8 x 4 5/8 x 4 5/8 in. (16.2 x 11.7 x 11.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection
Accession Number
52.169
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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