Description (Labels & Markings)
Paper label adhered to the front of the plaque reads: '1902.445. Plaque - two men. Benin. W.D. Webster, Esq.'
Event Date
Author: ashleigh griffin

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Context (References)
Webster, W.D. (1900). "Catalogue No. 24, of Ethnographical Specimens in Bronze, Wrought Iron, Ivory and Wood, from Benin City, West Africa, taken at the fall of the City in February 1897, by the British Punitive Expedition under the command of Admiral Rawson." Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnological Specimens. European and Eastern Arms and Armour. Prehistoric and Other Curiosities, Vol. 4, No. 24.

Illustrated in plate 7; fig. 26. (9757) Bronze plaque representing two natives, one armed with two short swords and the other has been evidently holding something in his hands which has been broken off, 17 inches high, 9 1/2 inches broad. £ 25.0.0.
Event Date 1900
Author: rachel hand

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Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card notes: "Oblong plaque of bronze or brass with patterned ground and border depicting two men standing clad in looped loincloths, coral strings at the neck, shoulder and waist, and bronze bracelets. Two daggers attached to the shoulder strap are held by one figure (the hands of the other are missing). Hair dressed in a pair of carved horns, single braid etc."
Event Date 1902
Author: maa

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Context (Display)
On display in the Maudslay gallery, Nigeria (Case no. 37) from 1990 until 2017.
Label noted:
'3 Benin plaque An oblong plaque of bronze or brass with patterned ground and border depicting two men standing clad in looped loin cloths, coral strings at the neck, shoulder and waist and bronze bracelets. There are two daggers attached to a shoulder strap. on one of the figures. The hair is dressed in a pair of carved horns and single braids. Benin Nigeria E 1902.445'
.
Event Date 1/1/1990
Author: Rachel Hand

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Conservation (Remedial)
CON.2017.3697 | Remedial
Event Date 16/1/2017
Author: Kirstie Williams

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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: 79.16%; Zn: 13.19%; Sn: 0.65%; Pb: 3.02%. 2) Cu: 79.12%; Zn: 13.22%; Sn: 0.64%; Pb: 3.03%. It was noted that most plaques are thought to be cast 1550-1610. Riederer alloy D2? At the lower end of the Pb spectrum.
Event Date 27/1/2017
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

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Context (Acquisition Details)
Donated by William Downing Webster (1868-1913), a dealer in ethnography who distributed hundreds of looted Benin works of art to European museums. Given the early date of 1902-3 and Webster’s acquisition from auctions and Expedition members, it is likely his personal donation of Benin material was also acquired are part of the Expedition. This has therefore been added to the source field with queries to indicate the lack of available data for a definite provenance.


Event Date 2/10/2018
Author: rachel hand

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Context (Display)
On display in the Maudslay gallery, Nigeria (Case no. 37) from 1990 until 2017 and then redisplayed in 2018 with new text.
Label noted:
'The Kingdom of Benin was one of many West African states overthrown by the British. The story of the massacre and looting in 1897 is told in the upstairs gallery. The brass plaques here were taken by the invading British forces from the walls and doors of the royal palace, and sold by the English dealer William Webster. Most date to 1550 to 1610.'

Individual label noted:
'#3 Bronze plaque: Two men. Two men wearing loincloths, strings of coral at the neck, shoulder and waist and bronze bracelets. Their hair is dressed in horns and braids. One wears two daggers on his shoulder. This plaque was a gift to the museum from the prolific dealer William Webster. Edo people. Benin, Nigeria, 16th century Donated by William D. Webster. Webster No. 9757. E1902.445'

Event Date 1/5/2018
Author: Rachel Hand

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Context (References)
Photographed as part of the Art UK Sculpture project, August - September 2019. The project aims to create a free-to-access online photographic showcase of publicly owned sculpture. The three-year project focuses on sculpture dating from the last 1,000 years, held in public collections and outdoor locations across the UK
Event Date 4/6/2020
Author: Katrina Dring

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Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1902E 445 | AFRICA | WEST AFRICA / NIGERIA / Oblong PLAQUE of bronze or brass with patterned ground and border depicting two men standing clad in looped loincloths, coral strings at the neck, shoulder & waist, and bronze bracelets. Two daggers attached to a shoulder strap are held by one figure (the hand of the other are missing). Hair dressed in a pair of curved horns, single braids etc. (1'5.2" x 9.6") / Benin W. Africa / Mr W.D. Webster | R. 1903 259"

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

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Conservation (Assessment Only)
CON.2022.5477 | Assessment Only
Event Date 31/10/2022
Author: Kirstie French

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Context (Amendments / updates)
The phrase 'British Colonial Military Campaign on Benin' has been added to the source field based on the recommendations of Digital Benin. This explicitly links the object to the capture of Benin City by British Navy Forces and members of the Nigerian Coast Protectorate Forces on 18 February 1897. The maker and artist field has been updated with the 'Igun Eronmwon (royal guild of brass casters)'
(https://digitalbenin.org/provenance/139; accessed 10.3.2023)

Event Date 10/3/2023
Author: Rachel Hand

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Loan (Exhibition)
Fitzwilliam Museum (UCM), 25/7/2023 to 7/1/2024, Enslavement & Resistance: Cambridge & the Black Atlantic
Event Date 25/7/2023
Author: rachel hand

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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

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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

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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