Catalogue card for E 1902.107-108: 'Two small human figures carved in wood, male and female, both in the same attitude with hands holding their sides'.
The number is white was assumed in 2020 to indicate a William Webster lot number based on similarities to other marked Webster material. The museum documentation lists only the purchase from Stevens. While it is possible that Stevens acquired it from Webster, it is known that Webster purchased widely at Cutters and other auctions. Cf Plankenskeiner 2007.
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
Later replacement catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1902 E. 107, 108 | AFRICA | WESt AFRICA / NIGERIA / Two small human FIGURES carved in wood, male and female, both in the same attitude with hands holding their sides. H. 5" and 5.4" / Benin, West Africa 1897 Expedition/ purchased Steven / Professor Bevan's donation | R. 1903 417, 418."
Red circular sticker in bottom left of card.
E 1902.93 - E 1902.115 are annotated in the Register as 'B. Stevens *Prof Bevan' indicating they were purchased at an undated 1902 auction at J.C. Stevens saleroom, 38 King Street Covent Garden, London, with money donated to the Museum’s Accessions Fund by Prof. Anthony Ashley Bevan.
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E 1902.94 - E 1902.115 are recorded in the Accession Register as acquired on the 'Benin, West Africa 1897 Expedition indicating they formed part of the spoils taken during the looting of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi’s royal palace by British troops led by Admiral Sir Henry Rawson. This punitive expeditionwas a response to the ambush of a British party led by Acting Consul General James Philips which had sought to enter Benin City during Ague (Igue), the new year festival of renewal, against the wishes of the Oba.