By the 16th century, Benin (in modern day Nigeria) was trading pepper, gum, cloth, ivory and slaves with the Portuguese in exchange for brass, lead, iron, coral, cowrie shells (used for currency), firearms, spirits and luxury goods. The Oba (king) of Benin controlled the supply of goods that could be traded to the Europeans on the coast, so that all the profit went to support his court and government. Other merchants could only trade with his permission.
Since art was an important way of communicating his authority, the Oba also controlled the output of the palace workshops. Ivory carvings were traditionally produced only for the royal court, but the Oba granted permission for decorated saltcellars, horns, spoons and forks to be made for European visitors - the earliest examples from Africa of objects made specifically as souvenirs for foreigners.
The original complete saltcellar would have included a lid and base; this is the midsection, featuring four standing male figures.
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