Context (Field collection)
Presumed taken during the British Colonial Military Campaign on Benin, February 1897, as William Webster became the pre-eminent dealer in looted Benin material

Event Date 2/1897
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card notes: "Bronze or brass bell with beaded band-loop handle, quadrangular with beaded edges, diaper ground etc bearing on the front in relief a grotesque mask."

Event Date 1902
Author: maa

Context (Display)
Displayed in "Metal in Africa", an MAA exhibition, held in the Andrews Gallery, 26 September 1996- 28 February 1998
Event Date 26/9/1996
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Display)
Exhibited in the Open Storage display of Benin material in Andrews gallery, from 19 July 2016, on the upper level.
Label noted:
'Bronze bells were used to summon the spirits of the ancestors to receive offerings at shrines. Bronze bells have been cast in West Africa for at least 1000 years, but four-sided bells were inspired by Portuguese bells and began to be made around 500 years ago. Both bells on display here are likely to have been taken from altars in 1897.
Bell on right [E 1902.434], presented by W.D Webster.
Bell on right (1950.277) presented by F.W. Green'


Event Date 19/7/2016
Author: Rachel Hand

Context (Analysis)
In January 2017, Prof. Marcos Martinon-Torres and Agnese Benzonelli, UCL Institute of Archaeology, tested this idno using a portable XRF as part of a programme of base metal analysis of Benin material. This object was tested twice and the results are as follows: 1) Cu: 75.15%; Zn: 23.14%; Sn: 0.05%; Pb: 1.32%. 2) Cu: 75.15%; Zn: 23.16%; Sn: 0.07%; Pb: 1.30%. It was noted that bells vary in composition and bar a few exceptions date to 1800+. Riederer alloy H2 probably dates this to the second half of the 19th century.
Event Date 27/1/2017
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 and both terms have therefore been added to the place field
Event Date 2/10/2018
Author: rachel hand

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1902 E.434 | AFRICA | WEST AFRICA / NIGERIA / Bronze or brass BELL with beaded band-loop handle, quadrangular with beaded edges diaper ground etc bearing on the front in relief a grotesque mask (6.4" x 3.9") / Benin W. Africa / Mr W.D. Webster. | R 1903 241"

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

Description (Labels & Markings)
'6437', the Webster stock number written in white on on handle
Event Date 3/4/2023
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Ẹroro. Quadrangular bronze bell, with beaded edges, diagonal line designs on two opposing faces, one plain and one with diaginal and wavy lines, with a leopard head mask in the centre. Three large and several smaller holes in metal on three sides from casting process. Clapping missing.
Event Date 3/4/2023
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Other owners)
In July 2022, the University of Cambridge agreed to repatriate 116 artefacts, including this object, taken from Benin City by the British military in February 1897. A legal transfer of ownership to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria, took place on 27 January 2026.
The source field has been updated accordingly.
Event Date 27/1/2026
Author: Jan-Henrik Hartung

Context (Other)
One of 99 objects on deposit from the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Nigeria (pending a physical return to Nigeria).
Event Date 27/1/2026
Author: Jan-Henrik Hartung

Context (Display)
New free-standing yellow label added to the display case in February 2026 which noted:
‘In July 2022, the University of Cambridge agreed to repatriate 116 artefacts taken from Ben in city by the British military in February 1897. Arrangements are being made to physically return the collection. Artefacts numbered 3 to 6 are on loan from the National Commission of museums and monuments, Nigeria’.
Event Date 1/2/2026
Author: Rachel Hand