'On 1 February 1898, the London based natural history dealer Gustav Adolph Frank brought the ‘Benin bronzes’ to the attention of the director of Museum Volkenkunde Schmeltz (NL-LdnRMV-A1-26-98/99). [...] Of the initial three pieces on offer, the director Schmeltz chose a plaque, which was according to Frank ‘possibly the finest piece that came from Benin.’ The asking price was £50. A letter from 6 April 1898 provides evidence that Frank sent four arm rings to Leiden as part of his offer (NL-LdnRMV-A1-26-100/101). The day book testifies to the arrival of ‘4 copper arm rings from Benin (?) and a bronze plate with depiction in relief from the palace of Benin.’ The question mark indicates that Schmeltz doubted the provenance of the bracelets, simply listed in the museum register as ‘Afrika, Benin’ without the question mark (MR-L: NL-LdnRMV_A01_045_0049). Frank took offence at the suggestion that the bracelets (RV-1170-1 to -4) might not be from Benin in a letter dated 13 April 1898. He writes: ‘Neither do I understand that the bracelets and bronze ornament would come from another region. As they were sold with other Benin pieces.’ In a later letter from 3 May 1898 the conversation about the origins of the bracelets continues. Frank writes: ‘I am completely convinced that you are mistaken about the small Benin ornament. It is clearly not fake or imitated. I believe that apart from mine there are only 2 others in existence, from a trader I receive £5 for it, and it has been sold to Rivers Pit, who saw it before. I also send you the photos of one of the two other items.’ It is possible that Schmeltz cast doubt on the origin of the bracelets in order to lower the price. However, the bracelets could genuinely have originated from other areas in Nigeria considering that the twisted shape and decorations differ from other bracelets identified as being from the Benin Kingdom.'
(Excerpt from Provenance no. 2 'The Benin Collections at the National Museum of World Cultures' written by Rosalie Hans with Annette Schmidt, 12-01-2021)
The pieces were acquired on 4 May 1898.
For more information about the provenance, see <a href="https://issuu.com/tropenmuseum/docs/2021_provenance_2__benin__e-book" target="_blank"> Provenance #2 – the Benin collections at the National Museum of World Cultures </a> (NB: Issuu uses cookies).