Curator's Choice: Commonwealth Institute

I have selected a piece from our royal collection which is on show until the end of December. The piece is from Benin in Nigeria, West Africa and is one of the gifts presented by the Commonwealth to Queen Victoria during her reign. Presented in 1887, this ivory box affords great insight into the Benin culture, particularly in its iconographic detail, which depicts several scenes supporting the divine and supernatural powers of the king of Benin. On the lid of the box are two mudfish, which represent the Oba's (king's) legs and feet - symbols of peace, well-being and fertility within the Benin culture. The other figure on the top of the box is most likely to be a foreigner, probably a non-European.

The python, which is in the process of devouring the foreign warrior, is a symbol of the enormous power within the Benin culture and of the king's powerful legitimacy to rule. The bottom figure is a representation of the king in full regalia, swinging two leopards - symbols of his legitimate authority - which also represent the supernatural belief that the king was able to turn himself into a man-hunting leopard during battle. Finally, the leopard devouring the antelope is a show of the power of the king himself and, by the position of the leopard between the legs of the king, it could also be seen to symbolise the power of the Benin people in warfare.

The Commonwealth Institute was opened in 1962, including 17 member countries within its display. There are now 50 independent member countries. The Institute aims to raise the profile of the Commonwealth in the eyes of the British public. Opening times are Mon-Sat 10-5.30pm; Sun 2-5pm.

Yvonne Ayo is a joint curator of the Commonwealth Institute, Kensington High Street, London W8 (071-603 4535)