Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card notes: "An ornate iron staff : a bird's figure surmounting a chameleon, and surrounded by a cluster of prongs representing various implements and weapons, forms the head. Below a cluster of six funnel shaped bells and lower still a large chameleon, spring from the round shaft."
Event Date 6/6/2000
Author: maa

Context (Amendments / updates)
Given Webster's acquisition of much of the spoils of the Benin West Africa 1897 Expedition, and the early date of 1902-3, it is likely his personal donation of Benin material was also collected on the 1897 Punitive Expedition. This has therefore been added to the source field with queries to indicate the lack of available data for a definite provenance.

The note created during transcription of the catalogue card in 2001 added that it was unclear if 'Edo is the province or language group, and whether Benin refers to the city of Benin'. The Register noted only 'Benin, West Africa'. As the catalogue card was written before the creation of Edo State in 1991, 'Edo' would have referred to the Edo people and has been removed from the place field.

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 in brackets to show the original provenance e.g., 'Benin [?Kingdom of Benin; ?Benin City].
Event Date 2/10/2018
Author: rachel hand

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1902 E 440. | AFRICA | WEST AFRICA / NIGERIA / An ornate iron STAFF: a bird's figure surmounting a chameleon, and surrounded by a cluster of prongs representing various implements and weapons, forms the head. Below a cluster of six funnel-shaped bells and lower still a large chameleon, spring from a round shaft. / Benin, W. Africa / Mr. W.D. Webster | R. 1903 247"

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

Context (Amendments / updates)
'14th - 19th century' has been added to the period field.
Event Date 3/9/2021
Author: Benjamina Dadzie

Description (Labels & Markings)
The accession number is marked on the object in white ink.
Event Date 3/9/2021
Author: Benjamina Dadzie