Provenance

4 events

Production

unknown to February 22, 1897 (day approximate)

The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Igbesamwan guild in Benin City.

Looted

February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to June 1899 (year approximate)

The object was looted by Unknown member of the British colonial military campaign on Benin - February 1897 from Benin Kingdom.

Auction

1902

The object was auctioned to the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge through Stevens Auction Rooms and Anthony Ashley Bevan in London.

Restitution

February 8, 2026

The object was restituted by the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge to the Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ọba of Benin & National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria from Cambridge to Nigeria.

Institution data

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge

The data was transferred directly by the institution.

Last updated: 2022-07-18

Language: english

Institution field	Value
idno object id	E 1902.114
local edo designation
Physical description/0 description	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 ."
Physical description/1 description
Physical description/2 description
Physical description/3 description
Physical description/4 description
d_Description Name description	Weaving stick decorated on both sides of the handle with a deeply carved pattern. Collected on the British Expedition to Benin City, 1897.
height dimensions
length dimensions	910 mm
width dimensions	38 mm
weight weight
Inscription inscriptions
Labels - Markings/0 inscriptions	The accession number is marked in two areas, one in black, directly on the wood, and the other in white near the handle.
Labels - Markings/1 inscriptions	A label that reads '1902.114 / Weaving stick / Benin, West Africa / * Professor Bevan' is adhered to the object.
Labels - Markings/2 inscriptions
Labels - Markings/3 inscriptions
Labels - Markings/4 inscriptions
Labels - Markings/5 inscriptions
period date made
maker producer
d_Place production place	Africa; West Africa; Nigeria; [Kingdom of Benin]; Edo State; Benin City; Oba's Palace
Other owners prior source
source prior source	Benin Expedition [collector]; Stevens Auction Room [vendor]; Bevan, Anthony Ashley (Prof.) [monetary donor]
Collection or Excavation Year date collected	1897
culture group ethnic attribution	Edo
source date accession date	1902
Amendments - updates/0 notes	'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.
Amendments - updates/1 notes
Amendments - updates/2 notes
Amendments - updates/3 notes
Amendments - updates/4 notes
Exhibition/0 exhibition history
Exhibition/1 exhibition history
Reference Numbers bibliography	E 1902.114 MAA: ?AR 1903.423
References/0 bibliography
References/0 2 bibliography
References/1 bibliography
Related Documents/0 bibliography	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.
Related Documents/1 bibliography
Related Documents/2 bibliography
Related Documents/3 bibliography
Related Documents/4 bibliography
Related Documents/5 bibliography
Related Documents/6 bibliography
Acquisition Details/0
Acquisition Details/1
Acquisition Details/2
Analysis/0
Analysis/1
Archaeology
Auction - Sale/0	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]
Auction - Sale/1
CMS Context/0
CMS Description
Catalogue
Display/0
Display/1
Display/2
Display/3
Field_collection/0	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.
Field_collection/1	Collected on the 1897 Punitive Expedition .
Found_together - assemblage
Freezing
Online Only
Other/0
Other/1
Production - use
Remedial/0
Remedial/1
Surface Clean
unknown

Sensitive Content

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