Catalogue card notes: "A broad leaf shaped iron word, with waist and pointed shoulders, the base continued to a flat square sided neck, which terminates in a handle decorated with a plaited pattern. This is protected by a ring guard (broken) The wings of the blade which are quite flat are divided by a central rib and decorated with perforated pattern. This is a very old specimen which has been mended with iron plates in three distinct places. (? for ceremonial use) Benin West Africa 1897 Expedition "
'Edo' is both a language and cultural group but the catalogue is presumed to have been using the term 'Edo as a cultural group. The term 'Benin' has been removed from the cultural group field.
Today Benin City is the capital of Edo State and so 'Edo State' has been used in the place field.
Catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1902 E. 110 | AFRICA | WEST AFRICA / NIGERIA / A broad leaf-shaped iron SWORD, with waist and pointed shoulders, the base continued to a flat square sided neck, which terminates in a handle decorated with a plaited pattern. This is protected by a ring guard (broken). The wings of the blade which are quite flat are divided by a central rib and decorated with a perforated pattern. This is a very old specimen which has been mended with iron plates in three distinct places. (?for ceremonial use) L. 33.7". Benin, West Africa 1897 Expedition/ purchased Stevens / Professor Bevan's donation | R. 1903 249."
In second hand, black ink: "BENIN"
Red circular sticker in bottom right corner of card.
Catalogue card reads "Purchased Stevens, Professor Bevan's donation"
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E 1902.94- 115 are recorded in the accession register as acquired on the 'Benin West Africa 1897 Expedition, presumably meaning they formed part of the loot from the sacking of the Royal Palace by British troops.
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Taken during the Benin Expeditionof 1897, a punitive expeditionby a British force that caused the burning and looting of the city.