Since art is important in the Benin kingdom and is also a symbol of authority for the Oba, he exercised control over the output of the palace workshops. Ivory carvings have always been made strictly for the royal court but the Oba ordered ivory carvings of saltcellars, spoons, and forks to be made for the Portuguese visitors. These items were likely one of the first forms of art from Africa that were made as souvenirs for foreigners.
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