Description (Labels & Markings)
Written on the surface of the metal, possibly in metallic paint, is 'BENIN CITY/ FEBY 18TH 1897'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Field collection)
Given the label 'Benin City, Feb 18th 1897' the eben sword is presumed to have British Colonial Military Campaign on Benin, 1897. but no documentation is known to connect it to a specific donor
Event Date 2/1897
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card notes: "Sword, with very broad (impractical) blade with shoulder and waist, decorated with extensive perforations. Repaired with riveted strips. Handle is also iron, and comprises a grip of twisted wire inside a broad loop."

Event Date 12/6/2000
Author: maa

Context (Amendments / updates)
Pen drawing on rear of card.
Event Date 12/6/2000
Author: maa

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.
Event Date 27/1/2017
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Conservation (Remedial)
CON.2017.3741 | Remedial
Event Date 20/2/2017
Author: Kirstie Williams

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card reads, in black ink: "Z 20437 | W. AFRICA | Nigeria / Benin / Sword, with very broad (impractical) blade with shoulder and waist, decorated with extensive perforations. Repaired with riveted strips. Handle is also iron, and comprises a grip of twisted wire inside a broad loop. / Labelled 'Benin City, Feb'y 18th 1897.' / PTO [arrow]"

Red circular sticker in bottom right corner of card.

On rear of card: ink drawing of sword.
Event Date 27/8/2020
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Analysis)
Analysed using XRF instrumentation by Dr Agnese Benzonelli on uncleaned surfaces.

Initial XRF analysis suggests the blade, handle and rivets repairs are 99% iron.
Event Date 13/3/2023
Author: Rachel Hand

Context (Acquisition Details)
No known acquisition details but accessioned after 1938 and before 1978, most likely in the 1970s during re-organisation of museum stores into a typological boxing system
Event Date 30/3/2023
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Eben. Ceremonial iron sword owned by a person of high rank. Very broad leaf-shaped blade with shoulder and waist, decorated with extensive perforations. Repaired with riveted iron strips. Handle is also iron, and comprises a grip of twisted wire inside a broad loop.
Event Date 3/4/2023
Author: Mark Elliott