page_title: Art in Sierra Leone
section_title: Cloth work
hierarchical_section_title: Art in Sierra Leone / Cloth work
caption_attribution_description: English: This pyx, a container used in the Catholic Mass for the consecrated wafer, has lost it cover. The artist was an ivory carver of the Sapi people of coastal West Africa who was working on commission from a Portuguese trader who expected to sell such exotic objects to princely patrons in Europe. The images of the Passion of Christ are taken from a contemporary European illustrated Bible. Most of the works in ivory commissioned from West African carvers were for conspicuous display, such as magnificent salt cellars for the tables of the wealthy, but they all share the treasured characteristic of intricate surface design. One Portuguese writing in the 16th century described these carvers as "very ingenious, and their objects, wonderful to see." The Sapi style of ivory carving is evident in the dense mass of figures and the textured, linear design.
context_page_description: Art in Sierra Leone has a long and significant tradition of carving and ceremonial works like masks and cloth for initiation and protection. Although art styles are oftentimes ascribed to a single ethnic group, the styles and processes are spread throughout the country and many artists move between the different ethnic groups in the country.
  Art is often practiced by organized societies, whether the traditional Sande and Poro societies or the more recent odelay societies of Freetown, and express a range of spiritual and political meanings. Carving using wood, ivory, and stone has been prominent for many centuries and retains importance today. In addition, since the 1930s, Freetown has had a number of lanterns competitions where different groups construct large, decorative floats.
context_section_description: Cloth arts are often used in many of the different groups in Sierra Leone to provide special types of protection. The cloth is provided with specific designs for spiritual protection for the wearer.
caption: Ivory carving of approximate 1500s origin from Sierra Leone
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