There is no mention of this vessel in the literature. Until a Nigerian can enlighten us, it is therefore impossible to say what was kept in it. As the production of such a container was a very expensive luxury four hundred years ago, fruit and vegetables can generally be ruled out. More likely candidates would be kola nuts or small bitter kola nuts. The container is sealed tight against animals, but is still permeable to air, as the lid, due to the manufacturing process, does not close as tightly as modern plastic containers.

The choice of a leopard as a motif, intended as a symbol of power and strength, is likely also meant to remind some people that they have no place there. From this perspective, the patriarch’s jewellery might also have been kept inside it.

This slightly abstracted head has been meticulously crafted using the lost-wax casting technique, making it a unique piece. With the exception of a small area of corrosion on the chin, the work is undamaged and has been lovingly cared for by a single family for many years prior to its sale. Over the past few decades, a little dust has settled into the patina, which actually enhances the sense of depth.