E 1902.114

Catalogue card notes: "Weaving stick with flat sword like blade, the handle a thick oblong plaque, both sides decorated with a deeply carved pattern. / Benin West Africa 1897 Expedition."

Weaving stick decorated on both sides of the handle with a deeply carved pattern. Collected on the British Expedition to Benin City, 1897.

910 mm

38 mm

The accession number is marked in two areas, one in black, directly on the wood, and the other in white near the handle.

A label that reads '1902.114 / Weaving stick / Benin, West Africa / * Professor Bevan' is adhered to the object.

Africa; West Africa; Nigeria; [Kingdom of Benin]; Edo State; Benin City; Oba's Palace

Benin Expedition [collector]; Stevens Auction Room [vendor]; Bevan, Anthony Ashley (Prof.) [monetary donor]

1897

Edo

1902

'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.

E 1902.114 MAA: ?AR 1903.423

Catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1902 E 114 | AFRICA | WEST AFRICA / NIGERIA / WEAVING STICK with flat sword like blade the handle a thick oblong plaque both sides decorated with a deeply carved pattern. / Benin, West Africa 1897 Expedition / purchased Stevens | R. 1903 423" Red circular sticker in bottom right corner of card.

Catalogue card reads "Purchased Stevens" [Adjacent cards also note "Professor Bevan's donation", and it has been assumed that this is part of the same donation. Katrina Dring 24/08/2020]

E 1902.94- 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 expedition was 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. E 1902.93- 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.

Collected on the 1897 Punitive Expedition.