Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card notes: "Bronze plaque with warrior in high relief, wearing helmet. Much of background and legs missing."
Added in second hand: "+ 8 ringed necklace"
Event Date 9/6/2000
Author: maa

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Context (Amendments / updates)
Unclear on catalogue card whether Edo is the province or language group, and whether Benin refers to the city of Benin. [T.Cotterill]
Event Date 15/5/2001
Author: maa

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Context (Amendments / updates)
Photograph attached to rear of catalogue card.
Event Date 8/3/2016
Author: Rachel Hand

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Description (Labels & Markings)
The number '9469' has been written on the object. A possible ?Webster number.
Event Date 25/1/2017
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

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Context (Field collection)
?Collected on the 1897 Punitive Expedition.
Event Date 26/1/2017
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

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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. The object was tested twice and the results are as follows: 1) Cu: 72.31%; Zn: 9.02%; Sn: 0.64%; Pb: 15.75%. 2) Cu: 74.38%; Zn: 10.08%; Sn: 0.66%; Pb: 12.93%.

It was noted that most plaques are thought to be cast 1550-1610, Riederer alloy D2? At the higher end of the Pb spectrum.
Event Date 27/1/2017
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

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Conservation (Remedial)
CON.2017.3698 | Remedial
Event Date 6/2/2017
Author: Kirstie Williams

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Context (Amendments / updates)
Given by Frederick William Green, Honorary Keeper of Antiquities at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (1908–1949). The majority of 'bronze' items such as these in museum collections were collected on the 1897 Punitive Expedition to Benin. This is likely to be the origin of this work but there is no documentation on Green's acquisition.

The Webster sale number suggests it was sold by Bicester dealer William Webster at some stage probably between 1898- 1901, but the number has not yet been connected to a specific auction
Event Date 7/8/2019
Author: rachel hand

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Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card reads, in blue ink: "50.272 | Africa | Nigeria / Bronze plaque with warrior in high relief, wearing helmet. Much of back-ground + legs missing. / Benin. / F.W. Green bequest."

In second hand and black biro, after "helmet": "+8-ringed helmet"

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

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Context (Amendments / updates)
Presumed to have been acquired in the attack on Benin City by British forces in 1897.
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 10/3/2023
Author: maa

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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. The artefacts in this case taken during military action are on loan from the National Commission of museums and monuments, Nigeria’.

Event Date 1/2/2026
Author: Rachel Hand

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Context (Display)
Exhibited in the Open Storage display of Benin material in Andrews gallery, from 19 July 2016, case 4.02

Label noted:
'Emblems of Office The eben (sword of authority) on the right would have been carried by the Oba (king) and other important leaders during ceremonies in Benin city. Its removal by British forces in 1897 coincided with the removal of Oba Ovoranmwen, who lived in exile for the rest of his life. The eben on the left is ornamented with brass plates in the shape of even as well as leopards dash symbols of royal power. It was collected where number on Ron was still in exile. When he died in 1914, his son was allowed to be installed as over, under the supervision of the British colonial government. In the 1930s, Ovoranmwen’scoral regalia was returned to the Oba. The court of Benin, Nigerian authorities, and supporters elsewhere continued to campaign for the repatriation of material taken from the palace in 1897.'
Individual label noted:
Fragment of a plaque, depicting a warrior with a helmet and eight strings of beads around his neck. Cast in brass around 400 years ago. Presented by F.W. Green. (1950.272)
Event Date 19/7/216
Author: Rachel Hand