Afro-Portuguese ivories
- Gallery: Room 1
- Made in: Sierra Leone
- Date: 1490-1530 (circa)
- Object type: hunting-horn, oliphant
- Materials: elephant ivory (Loxodonta africana); silver; metal
- Museum number: Af1979,01.3156
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
This is an Afro-Portuguese hunting horn, or oliphant, made from elephant ivory. The mouthpiece is shaped like a fierce animal head with one eye inlaid in metal. At the center is a small loop for hanging, and the surface features intricate carvings in low relief.
The carvings combine European and African styles. You’ll see fantastic mythical creatures alongside real African animals like crocodiles and serpents. A central scene captures hunters chasing stags and bears. Near the base, there's an armillary sphere, the Portuguese royal coat of arms, and a cross.
The horn was crafted in Sierra Leone, most likely between 1490 and 1530. It shows a unique blend of Portuguese artistic influences with local African craftsmanship. This piece was bequeathed by Sir Hans Sloane and reflects a rare and rich cultural exchange.
See it in person
Afro-Portuguese ivories is on display in Room 1 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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