Afro-Portuguese saltcellar in ivory from the Edo/Bini people (Kingdom of Benin in present-day Nigeria)

This 16th-century saltcellar is one of the earliest examples of cultural fusion between Europe and Africa. It was produced in the kingdom of Benin, which now lies in Nigeria. Ivory carvers of the oba, or ruler, of Benin created objects for the European market that ended up in curiosity cabinets as ‘exotic’ showpieces.

The decoration shows Portuguese horsemen with firelocks. The winged figure is possibly an angel.