Object

Accession No

E 1902.428

Description

Ikoro. Arm cuff or wrist band of tubular brass or bronze, representing a single strand openwork mesh.

Place

Africa; West Africa; Nigeria; [Kingdom of Benin]; Edo State; Benin City; Oba's Palace

Period

Source

British Colonial Military Campaign on Benin [collector]; Webster, William Downing [donor]

Department

Anth

Reference Numbers

E 1902.428; MAA: AR 1903.229; W. 9821 [Webster number from Accession Register; written on object]

Cultural Affliation

Edo

Material

Metal; Copper Alloy; ?Brass; ?Bronze

Local Term

Ikoro [Edo]

Measurements

78mm x 78mm x 102mm Weight 0.26kg

Events

Context (Field collection)
Presumed to have been taken from the palace of Oba Ovọnramwẹn Nọgbaisi in Benin City during the 1897 Benin Expedition as Webster became the pre-eminent dealer in looted Benin material
Event Date 1897
Author: maa

Context (Acquisition Details)
The Accession Registers record E 1902.428- 461 (AR 1902.229-275) as a donation of Benin objects by Webster.

The Eighteenth Annual Report of the Antiquarian Committee to the Senate (April 23, 1903) also records that 'A gap in the collections of the Museum has been filled by a series of twenty-two fine bronzes from Benin, which Mr W. D. Webster has generously presented to the University'.

Event Date 1902
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card notes: "Tubular metal bracelet representing single strand network. (Bronze or brass)"
Event Date 6/6/2000
Author: maa

Description (Labels & Markings)
The Webster lot number 'W. 9821' has been written on the object.
Event Date 23/1/2017
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Context (Amendments / updates)
The Register noted only 'Benin, West Africa'. The narrow term 'Benin' has been used within the museum and more widely to refer to the both Benin City as well as the Kingdom of Benin.
Event Date 2/10/2018
Author: rachel hand

Context (Amendments / updates)
Catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1920 E 428 | AFRICA | WEST AFRICA / NIGERIA / Tubular BRACELET representing single strand network. (bronze or brass) / Benin W. Africa / Mr W.D. Webster. | R. 1903 229."

In second hand, black ink (inserted before "BRACELET"): "metal"

Red circular sticker in bottom right of card.
Event Date 24/8/2020
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Amendments / updates)
Photograph attached to rear of catalogue card.
Event Date 24/8/2020
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
The object number is marked in white on the internal surface of the object. Another number, presumably of the sale room, is marked and crossed out in white near the accession number.

Residue of a previously adhered label is visible below where the accession number is marked.
Event Date 28/7/2021
Author: Benjamina Dadzie

Context (Amendments / updates)
There is no known correspondence in the MAA archives that discusses a gift rather than a sale from Webster at any time
Event Date 7/3/2023
Author: rachel hand

FM:128065