dagger
- Museum number
- Af1897,-.511
- Description
-
Dagger with iron blade and wooden hilt. Double-edged pointed blade with engraved patterns down centre on both sides. Hilt bound with three wide iron bands alternating with double narrow iron bands; seams at back.
- Production date
- 16thC - 19thC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 34 centimetres
-
Width: 3.80 centimetres
-
Depth: 1.90 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Good; balde tarnished with some surface rust. Top of hilt has abraded surface.
- Acquisition date
- 18 June 1897
- Acquisition notes
- During the British expedition to 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 expedition and subsequently inherited by their families; put up for auction; or donated, lent, or sold to museums.
See Collection File: Af1897,-.498-563.
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Af1897,-.511
- Additional IDs
-
CDMS number: Af1897C3.511 (old CDMS no.)