293
SIR RALPH MOOR AND THE "BENIN CANNON OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM AND THE ROYAL ARMOURIES
Ronald Bishop Smith
(D
If might be of interest to the members of the society and to readers of the Journal to know from unpublished sources how four old cannon recovered in Benin City (in modern Nigeria) at the time of the British expedition of 1897 arrived at their present locations, that is a Portuguese swivel-gun of about 1540 in the British Museum and three rather archaic looking pieces of various precedences found in the Royal Armouries.(2) One of the Royal Armouries' cannon, curiously to note, has writing in Chinese on it. These four cannon are the only "Benin" cannon presently known to exist in England. Another is found in the Museum für Völkerkunde in Berlin and more may exist.
In the central Archives of the British Museum there is a document in the "Book of Presents" for 1899 which throws much light on the four "Benin" cannon in England. It is dated 30 May 1899.
Mr Read has the honour to report that he has received from Sir Ralph Moor H.M. Commissioner and Consul General for the Niger Coast Protectorate, through Major Gallwey D.S.O., a consignment of Benin antiquities consisting of three cannon, two of iron and one of bronze; and, in addition, a second bronze gun and a bronze plaque also from Sir Ralph Moor, through the Crown Agents for the Colonies.
Mr Read was somewhat doubtful whether all of the three objects in the first consignment were appropriate to the Museum, and whether they would not be more fittingly placed in the armoury of the Tower of London. He therefore consulted Lord Dillon, who confirmed his opinion that the bronze guns were not made in Europe, and are probably, therefore, of Benin manufacture; while of the two iron guns, one is doubtless of European make, and the other a copy made in Africa.
293
SIR RALPH MOOR AND THE "BENIN CANNON OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM AND THE ROYAL ARMOURIES
Ronald Bishop Smith
(D
If might be of interest to the members of the society and to readers of the Journal to know from unpublished sources how four old cannon recovered in Benin City (in modern Nigeria) at the time of the British expedition of 1897 arrived at their present locations, that is a Portu- guese swivel-gun of about 1540 in the British Museum and three rather archaic looking pieces of various Precedences found in the Royal Armouries.(2) One of the Royal Armouries' cannon, curiously to note, has writing in Chinese on it. These four cannon are the only "Benin" cannon presently known to exist in England. Another is found in the Museum für völkerkunde in Berlin and more may exist.
In the central Archives of the British Museum there is a document in the "Book of Presents" for 1899 which throws much light on the four "Benin" cannon in England. It is dated 30 May 1899.
Mr Read has the honour to report that he has received from Sir Ralph Moor H.M.Commissioner and Consul Gen- eral for the Niger Coast Protectorate. through Major Gallwey D.S.O.a consignment of Benin antiquities consisting of three cannon, two of iron and one of bronze; and, in addition, a second bronze gun and a bronze plaque also from Sir Ralph Moor. through the Crown Agents for the colonies.
Mr Read was somewhat doubtful whether all of the three objects in the first consignment were appropriate to the Museum, and whether they would not be more fittingly placed in the armoury of the Tower of London. He therefore con- sulted Lord Dillon, who confirmed his opinion that the bronze guns were not made in Europe, and are probably, therefore, of Benin manufacture; while of the two iron guns, one is doubtless of European make, and the other a copy made in Africa.
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