CATALOGUE.

The noblest living material par excellence, ivory, was reserved exclusively for the use of the monarch and only some important court dignitaries could make a personal commission. Since the end of the century XVbrought by the Portuguese, the European courts discover the first pieces of ivory beautifully sculpted by African artists. The main highlights are the cups, salt salts and spoons carved by the Sapi of Sierra Leone and the magnificent tubes or smells of both the Sapi and other peoples of the Congo. Few European courts or famous collectors have succeeded since that date in acquiring one of these exceptional creations, known as sapi-Portuguese or Afro-Portuguese ivorys. Other important creations are due to the Bini or Edo of the former Kingdom of Benin in Nigeria. Some other villages have sculpted interesting pieces of ivory, such as the statues of Baule or the statuettes and small masks of the Lega. Leaving aside the fangs carved with elephant families during the second half of the century XX, destined for the European market, ivory has not been a material widely used in Africa. For the high level of his creations and for the nobility of the material the work of ivory was always a real art.