Context (References)
cf Alison McKeating & David Phillipson (1996) African Metalwork, Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, University of Cambridge
Event Date 1996
Author: Rachel Hand

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

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card notes: "Bronze or brass group consisting of a man wearing elaborate robes, a mitre-shaped headdress and a bell round the neck, holding an ornate shield-like object in the left hand."

Event Date 6/6/2000
Author: maa

Context (Field collection)
Probably collected on the 1897 Punitive Expedition. Details added to the source field.
Event Date 26/1/2017
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

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 (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 (Amendments / updates)
Photograph attached to rear of catalogue card.
Event Date 24/8/2020
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1902 E. 451 | AFRICA | WEST AFRICA / NIGERIA / Bronze of brass standing figure of a MAN wearing elaborate robes, a mitre shaped headdress and a bell round the neck holding an ornate shield-like object in the left hand. L. 9" / Benin W. Africa / Mr W.D. Webster | R 1903 215"

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

Description (Labels & Markings)
Written in white on the rear '9919/ This is the William Webster lot number also noted in the Accession Register.
Event Date 13/10/2021
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Roughly cast bronze sculpture of a man with a shield in one hand, and an unidentified object in the other. He wears a bell around his neck. Very similar in style to 1950.271 and possibly from the same larger piece
Event Date 21/10/2021
Author: Katrina Dring

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 queries have been removed.
(https://digitalbenin.org/provenance/139; accessed 10.3.2023)

Event Date 27/3/2023
Author: Rachel Hand

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 (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