Context (Field collection)
Presumed taken on the British Colonial Military Campaign on Benin, February 1897. There is no documentation on Green's acquisition but it is typical of the ‘bronzes’ looted as part of the Benin Expedition, 1897.

Event Date 2/1897
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card notes: "[One of] two bronze cocks. / A. a good specimen / B. poor."
Event Date 1950
Author: maa

Context (Acquisition Details)
Bequeathed by Frederick William Green (1869-1949), Honorary Keeper of Antiquities at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge from 1908 to 1949.

Event Date 1950
Author: rachel hand

Description (Labels & Markings)
The number '9921' has been written on the base of the cockerl.
Event Date 25/1/2017
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

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: 64.69%; Zn: 34.25%; Pb: 0.85%. 2) Cu: 65.13%; Zn: 33.78%; Pb: 0.84%. It was noted as Zn reading of >30 gives a date 1850+. Riederer alloy I2.
Event Date 27/1/2017
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Conservation (Remedial)
CON.2017.3731 | Remedial
Event Date 7/2/2017
Author: Kirstie Williams

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 3/6/2020
Author: rachel hand

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card reads, in blue ink: 50.267 A/B | Africa | Nigeria / Two bronze cocks. / A. ht. about 7 ins, a good specimen / B. [ht. about] 4 [ins], poor / Benin / F.W. Green bequest."

Red circular sticker on bottom right of card.
Event Date 20/8/2020
Author: Katrina Dring

Context ()
Part of the Digital Benin project website. Available at

Noted as ' Ọkporhu. Bronze cock which did not come into existence until after the introduction of the Iy’ọba title by Ọba Esigie. The first Iy’Ọba was Idia, and the Iy’ọba title is considered to be the greatest achievement of a Benin woman. It has spiritual significance and is placed at the altar of the Iy’ọba after her death. The Iy’ọba is referred to Ọkpa n’ Uselu (Ọkpa being a shortened version of Ọkporhu).
Event Date 7/10/2021
Author: Benjamina Dadzie

Context (Analysis)
Previous historic analysis indicated by drilled hole in base, now infilled in red. Unknown date or purpose, possibly NAA (neutron activation analysis) or lead isotope analysis,
Event Date 14/3/2023
Author: rachel hand

Context (Acquisition Details)
Some of the white numbers which still remain on Green objects can be connected to the stock numbers of the dealer William Webster who purchased looted Benin material at auction and from Expedition members and became the pre-eminent dealer in Benin material.
This piece has not been connected to a specific Webster catalogue or sale

Event Date 14/3/2023
Author: rachel hand

Context (Analysis)
Analysed using XRF instrumentation by Dr Agnese Benzonelli, University of Cambridge, as part of research by Prof. Marcos Martinon-Torres and Dr Agnese Benzonelli into Benin material at MAA
Event Date 14/3/2023
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Ọkporhu. Figure of a cockerel or rooster, cast in bronze, on a square base. Feet secured into base using iron, possibly nails
Event Date 14/3/2023
Author: rachel hand