Oliphant (hunting horn)

As they explored the western coast of Africa, the Portuguese also discovered the solid artistic traditions of Sierra Leone, Benin and Congo. Soon they commissioned interesting objects assembling elements of both cultures: hunting horns or oliphants, spoons, salt-cellars, pixies... This exceptional piece is an example of this.
The representation of the cross of the Order of Christ (whose members from the Royal House of Avis, the dynasty reigning at this time, were its grand masters) and the royal coat of arms of Portugal confirms the particular destination of this commission. There is also an evident similarity between the scenes of chase carved and those that appeared reproduced in engravings and illuminations of works of art from the 15th and 16th centuries which circulated at that time. The inclusion of the parrot (a talking bird connecting two worlds) alludes to the world of the ancestors, from where the locals believed to have returned the Portuguese.