Uzokpo (lidded bowls) can be carved from wood, sometimes with brass sheeting applied to the exterior or cast in brass. The highly decorated aspect of the Uzokpo suggests they would have been used by the royal court, chiefs and dukes.
Unlike boxes, Uzokpo are distinguished by the curved convex bottom and top halves. Similar to some boxes, one use for lidded bowls may have been to hold kola nuts (Roth 1903, fig.115).
Ivory box from Benin. N° 183 in the sale catalogue where it is described as follows : "A RARE BENIN CARVED IVORY AND INLAID BOX AND COVER, of circular shape with pierced centre, each part in two sections joined by copper bands, superbly carved and inlaid with copper in alternate panels of masks and geometric motives betwee, scroll borders, the ivory of dark rich tone, 6 1/2" diameter.
This interesting and rare box was found containing coral and agate beads in the king's harem."
Purchased by the Nigerian Government at a sale by Messrs. Sotheby & Co. Bond Street, London on December 7th, 1953: Mr. W. B. Fagg assistant keeper, British Museum acted for the Nigerian Government at the sale.