A tall cylindrical container made of tree bark, about 120 cm high, with a horned animal head carved in high relief on its front and a lid crowned by a bird and a smaller animal figure.

1. Form and carving

The body is a rolled cylinder of bark, dark and finely grained, with a lid that sits on its upper rim. On the front, a horned animal head projects strongly from the surface. Its horns curve forward and downward, and ridged bands mark their bases. Eyes and nostrils are carefully modelled. A small knob above the head breaks the plain surface of the bark. On the lid stands a tall crested bird with a long neck and overlapping feathers carved across its body. Beside it crouches a smaller animal figure with a long, combed mane or fur and open mouth.

2. Use and context

The collection catalogue notes that the figural decoration on the sides and lid shows the container was not meant for everyday use. It concludes that it held ritual materials, since it was kept in the hut of the fon together with an identification figure and several masks.

3. Surface and condition

The surface is a deep brown-black, matte on the bark and smoother on the carved head and bird, where lighter tones show through at the horns and beak. The lid has a visible crack along its rim, and the bark shows small edge losses and the marks of handling.

Summary

A bark container whose bird-topped lid and horned head set it apart from everyday storage, kept in the fon's hut with ritual objects.