Description (Labels & Markings)
Webster Collection number inscribed in white ink but largely covered by the old MAA label. Possibly '3320' or '3380'.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

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: Lucie Carreau

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 (Labels & Markings)
Old museum label adhered to object reads: '1902.436. Bell. Benin. W.D. Webster, Esq.'
Event Date 1902
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Physical description)
Bronze or brass bell with beaded band-loop handle, quadrangular with beaded edges, diaper ground etc bearing on the front in relief a stalked double spiral symbol.
Event Date 6/6/2000
Author: maa

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: 70.23%; Zn: 28.68%; Sn: 0.03%; Pb: 0.74%. 2) Cu: 70.13%; Zn: 28.76%; Sn: 0.03%; Pb: 0.74%.

It was noted that bells vary in composition and are thought to not be very standardised and bar a few exceptions are dated to 1800+. It is classed as Riederer alloy H2 and probably dates 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.
Event Date 2/10/2018
Author: rachel hand

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1902 E 436 | 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 stalked double spiral symbol. / (4" x 2.2") / Benin, W. Africa . / Mr W.D. Webster | R 1903 243"

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

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