During the British Expeditionto Benin City (Edo) in 1897 objects made of brass, 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 on the coast. However, many were brought to the UK where they were sold through private auction, donated to museums, or retained by soldiers of the expedition See Collection File: Af1903,1022.1-8.
Relief plaque, lost-wax cast in brass. Wide plaque, almost square in form with side flanges. Background surface decorated with river leaf patterns and stippling. Single rosette in low relief in top right corner. One nail hole at top centre; one hole at midway on right side, two at bottom right and left. Depicts central standing warrior figure holding eben sword aloft in right hand, left hand on belt. Wears tall helmet with side panels and beads, deep beaded collar, leopard's tooth necklace, quadrangular bell on chest, long-sleeved feather tunic and wrap-around skirt, armlets and beaded anklets. Has dagger and animal-headed hip ornament on left side. Flanked by two smaller scale musicians; on left holding two gongs, on right blowing a horn held in both hands. Musicians have side locks on left and wear net-type caps with feather on left side, beaded necklaces, leopard's tooth necklaces, and patterned wrap-around skirts. Musician on left wears colied bracelets, figure on right wears armlets.
Fair; missing top right and left corners (and possibly section along top edge). Missing section of flange at right side from midway upwards. Missing bottom right corner. Missing sections from bottom edge at left side. Holes in both legs and skirt of left musician figure.