The carved figure is partially coloured in red, white and black, and wears a gown, trousers and turban (tied around a fez-type cap). Thomas Ona Odulate produced a great number of woodcarvings depicting both Yoruba and Europeans. Created as tourist pieces, almost all were sold to the British. While they seem to be satirical or caricatures, Ona said that his work represented daily life and were not intended to represent any particular individuals. The sculpture was purchased in Lagos from the artist in the late 1930s.