an intricately carved column made of ivory

This ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and Portugal

As a display of his strength, the king of this West African kingdom allowed his artisans to create ivory saltcellars for Portuguese merchants in the 1500s.

Exemplifying the intricate skills of Benin's artisans, this 15th-century ivory saltcellar is one of four similar objects held in different collections around the world.

MICHEL URTADO-THIERRY OLLIVIER/RMN-GRAND PALAIS
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