1918.9.18

Collection type

Object

Description

Arm ornament; penannular cast brass bracelet of triangular section, with geometric patterns on its surface.

Geographical reference

Nigeria

Africa > Western Africa > Nigeria

Person

Field collector Henry Noel Kempthorne

PRM source Henry Noel Kempthorne

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1918

Date collected

By 1918

Acquisition information

Donated: 03/1918

Materials and processes

Material Brass Metal, Process Cast

Dimensions

Diameter: max 82 mm, Height: max 22 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1918.9.18

Research and responses

Related Documents File - Correspondence from Laura Medford Badcock, aunt of the donor, to Balfour. The first, 16 August 1917, offers the objects: 'Some years ago Major Kempthorne & I sent you some specimens of native and Hausa work from Norther Nigeria, and also a little loom... I am now packing up the things Major Kempthorne left in England, & among them is a very fine Nigerian drum, a wooden figure about 18 ins high, a big book written in Arabic in a case, & a few personal ornaments including two fine glass bracelets. ...' The next dated 22 August 1917, alerts Balfour to the sending of a locked box of objects from Nigeria donated from Kempthorne. The third letter, dated 16 March 1918: 'I have only this week heard from Major Kempthorne regarding the box and bundle of his Nigerian things which I sent you last August. Letters have been very delayed from E. Africa and although one dated Jan 30 had arrived, I only now have November mails. My nephew is very much pleased that I sent you the things, but charges one with no messages for you as he intended to write himself and perhaps you have already heard. I enclose the key of the box, and must thank you very much for having allowed me to send you the things as I did. ... P.S. I cannot feel quite sure how the donor's name should be entered on your books. His full designation is "Temp. Major. D.S.O. - R.E. Reserve of Officers." or "D.S.O. Temp. Major. Capt. Reserve of Officers. Late R. Scots Fusiliers attd R.E." ' Included with this letter is the following list: 'Drum. Figure. Book in case. Musical Instrument. Piece of Hausa cloth. 1 Heavy brass bracelet. 1 Brass & copper (ditto) [bracelet]. 2. Glass (ditto) [bracelets]. 3 Straw plates. Pair shoes etc. &c. &c.'

Letter from Major Kempthorne to Balfour, dated 24 November 1917: '... [I] hope the museum will accept them [Nigerian curios] as a gift. I will detail here what I can of their history which is meagre enough. ... "4 braclets [sic]. 2 glass. 2 brass." The glass ones are Bida (Nupé) manufacture, smelted and formed by turning the molten mass on the end of an iron rod. The brass ones I cannot remember, but they must have been made of imported metal. ... I am glad to think that all these things have found a happy home! They were so much lumber where they were! I only kept them because most items had some personal interest. ... ' [MOB 13/11/2001]

Search terms: Ornament, Trade, Arm Ornament