These snuff containers (items 1a and 1b) exemplify the aesthetic sensibility that characterises south-east African material culture. In this example, the highly abstracted human form is suggested but not explicit; the figurative element is inherent to the concept but not overt in its execution. One raised bump intimates an arm, a small opening hints at the other arm, and minor modeling and incisions on the head allude to facial features.

Examples of more figurative horn snuff containers can be seen in M Shaw, 'Some native snuff-boxes in the South African Museum', Annals of the SA Museum, XXIV, part III(7), 1935, plate XXIX.

This container is from the Marc Ginzberg collection and is illustrated in M Ginzberg, African forms, Milan, 2000, p121.