During the British expeditionto Benin City (Edo) in 1897 objects made of brass, bronze, ivory, coral, and wood were looted by British soldiers from the royal palace, its storerooms, and compounds. Some of these objects were sold or exchanged in West Africa. However, many were brought to the UK where they were retained by soldiers of the expeditionand subsequently inherited by thier families; put up for auction; or donated, lent, or sold to museums. See Collection File: Af1897,-.498-563.
Sansa; musical instrument in the form of a rectangular box of pale wood ornamented all over with an incised check pattern, a small circular hollow being burned in the centre of each square. Six keys of cane are fastened on one surface with fibre cord; two replacement keys.