Close
This website will close in December 2024. Visit the British Museum website to find alternative learning resources for students aged 3-18 years.

One hundred objects from museums across the UK with resources, information and teaching ideas to inspire your students’ interest in history.
More about this project

Search the objects

Key stage
History curriculum topic
Date
Place
Theme
Search
Explore

Ivory salt cellar from Benin

A bigger picture

Some experts think that the main figure on the salt cellar may be based on a portrait of the Portuguese nobleman Afonso de Albuquerque (AD 1460 – 1515). Albuquerque played the leading role in creating the Portuguese trading empire in the Middle East, Indian Ocean and beyond in the East Indies and China. In 1510, he captured the city of Goa in southern India and turned it into the hub of Portuguese activities in the region. Starting with another object from Benin, these objects provide examples of the spread of Portuguese trade and influence.

Horn

58-bigpic-01

Ivory musical horn with Portuguese coat of arms; made in Benin, AD 1525 – 1600.

 See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=626031&partId=1&images=true&museumno=Af1959,14.2+&page=1

Coin

58-bigpic-02

Silver coin with the Portuguese coat of arms; issued in India, AD 1598 – 1621.

 See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1021344&partId=1&images=true&museumno=1915,0407.51+&page=1

Cotton coverlet

58-bigpic-03

Made in India (Kerala) for the Portuguese export market with European imagery for the decoration, probably derived from prints; early AD 1600s.

 See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=235831001&objectid=1504207

Oil lamp

58-bigpic-04

Bronze oil lamp in the form of a Portuguese soldier; found in Kerala, India; early AD 1600s.

 See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=245944&partId=1&searchText=portuguese+oil+lamp&images=true&page=1

Ivory plaque

58-bigpic-05

Ivory plaque showing Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; perhaps made in Sri Lanka for the Portuguese market; AD 1600s.

 See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=37135&partId=1&images=true&place=41016&from=ad&fromDate=1400&to=ad&toDate=1600&page=1

Plate

58-bigpic-06

Porcelain plate of the Ming dynasty with the coat of arms of a Portuguese captain; from China, about AD 1580 – 1600.

 See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=260548&partId=1&images=true&place=41016&from=ad&fromDate=1400&to=ad&toDate=1600&page=1
Next section: Teaching ideas
58_banner

Ivory salt cellar from Benin