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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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