Provenance

4 events

Production

unknown to February 22, 1897 (day approximate)

The object was produced 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.

Unknown

February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to 1899

The object is known to have come into contact with George Fabian 'Stoney Jack' Lawrence, later in London.

Purchase

1899

The object was purchased by the Pitt Rivers Museum from George Fabian 'Stoney Jack' Lawrence from London to Oxford.

Institution data

Pitt Rivers Museum

The data was transferred directly by the institution.

Last updated: 2021-07-20

Language: english

Institution field	Value
Accession Number object id	1899.70.2
Description description	Tortoise shell used as a drum [JID 7/1/2020]
Material / Process material	Material of original: Tortoise Carapace Reptile; Material of original: Cane Plant
Dimensions dimensions	Height: max 85,00 mm; Length: max 270,00 mm; Width: max 170,00 mm
Keywords object type	Keyword: Musical instrument; Keyword: Slit Drum
No. of objects object count	1
Dating date made	Date made: 1899
Geographical Provenance production place	Africa -> Western Africa -> Nigeria, Benin
Persons prior source	PRM source: George Fabian Lawrence
Provenance prior source provenance
When Collected date collected	When collected:
Cultural Groups ethnic attribution	-> Edo
Acquired accession date	Acquired: 1899
Primary Documentation notes	Accession book entry: : 1899. Feb. G. F. LAWRENCE. - Carapase & plastron of tortoise with cane-work loop, said to be used as a kind of drum, Benin, W. Africa. 8/9.; Accession book entry: : [added] - pd. M. M. fund May 1901.; Card Catalogue entry: : S. NIGERIA, BENIN Carapace and plastron of tortoise with cane-work loop, said to be used as a kind of a drum. Bought from G.F. Lawrence, London, Feb. 1899.; Pitt Rivers Museum label: : AFRICA, NIGERIA, BENIN Drum Purch. George Fabian Lawrence 1899 1899.70.2 [JID 7/1/2020]; Written on object: : BENIN, W. AFRICA. Purch: 1899.70.2 [JID 7/1/2020]; Related Documents File: : [photocopy with image and caption] - Fig: 185. A primitive musical instrument made from the shell of the land tortoise ? gabute ? feetudo ? tabulata ? schopf. On the one opening some wax is stuck; the performer beats this and shakes it with his hand, which causes it to give out a sound resembling the mournful croaking of toads. ? Bis ? fiquie, ? fuka ? [intelligible]. "drei jahren unter der Indianern" by ? Koch [illegible]. Page 304 [JID 7/1/2020]
Research Notes notes
Archaological / Ethnographic	E
Archival documentation ID
Class	Class: Music
Collection Type	Object
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