A woodcarving of a European, District Officer, a mid-level rank of the British Colonial Service. The figure is shown in a canoe with umbrella, three paddles, pipes and four crew men. There are traces of white, indigo and pale red colouring on the figure. The D.O.'s helmet and a crewman with steering paddle is missing. The sculpture was originally purchased in Lagos from the artist in the late 1930s. Thomas Ona Odulate produced a great number of these woodcarvings depicting both Europeans and Yoruba. 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. Yoruba carvings traditionally use one piece of wood (and demonstrate their skill that way), but in contrast Ona incorporates many separate elements – in this piece, the umbrella, oars and pipe.