The Prince and the Plunder

A book on how Britain took one boy and piles of treasures from Ethiopia

Category: The Plunder

Green silk and leather belt

Published June 18, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: Belt taken by the British Museum’s expert on the expedition, Richard Rivington Holmes

Where: The British Museum, Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG

Provenance: Maqdala referenced at length in the museum’s acquisition notes.

The catalogue entry reads: 

“Waist belt made of leather with green silk brocade stitched to the front surface using silk thread, lined with red silk on the inner surface; remnant of a further yellow silk lining is evident around the inner edge. The yellow lining would have covered the inner surface and edged the front of the belt. The belt is decorated with circular, domed buttons made of silver [?] and brass, stitched in linear patterns across the outer surface. Two large silver-gilt repoussé clasps decorated with floral motifs are stitched into either end of the belt.”

Acquisition notes: Richard Rivington Holmes, an assistant in the manuscripts department of The British Museum, had accompanied the expedition as an archaeologist. He acquired a number of objects for the British Museum, including around 300 manuscripts which are now housed in the British Library. In 1868 the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh, donated to The British Museum two further collections of material from Maqdala.

Details
Museum number: Af1868,1001.2
Date: 19thC
Length: 99 cm
Width: 13 cm
Previous owner/ex-collection: Sir Richard Rivington Holmes biography
Acquisition date: 1868

Posted In Adornments & jewelry | Royal regalia | The Plunder
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The Abuna’s silver slippers

Published June 18, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: Abuna’s slippers, made of silver, gold and leather, taken by the British Museum’s expert on the expedition, Richard Rivington Holmes

Where: The British Museum, Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG

Provenance: Maqdala referenced at length in the museum’s acquisition notes.

The catalogue entry reads:

“Pair of slippers with leather soles, stitched to silver inner sole and gilded silver uppers. The three layers of the slippers are stitched together with blue silk thread, a decorative upper stitch of metal [copper?] bound thread forms a chain stitch through which the silk thread passes.

“The silver uppers are made in two parts, front and back, soldered together. The backs of the slippers are decorated with fine filigree work of round armed crosses and raised ovoid bosses.

The fronts are decorated with bands of gilded filigree crosses, wirework and two elaborate filigree crosses. The front of the slippers arch upwards to a point and the toes curl sharply upwards.

Curator’s comments:

“This type of slipper was only worn by royalty and the highest ranking members of the church such as the Etchege or Bishop. An illustration of these slippers in the Illustrated News of 1868 states that they once belonged to Bishop Selama who was head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church from 1841 – 1867. In 1864 he was incarcerated at Maqdala by Emperor Tewodros II where he died three years later in 1867.”

Condition: “Good, some wear to the leather soles each of which has two small holes.”

Acquisition notes: Richard Rivington Holmes, an assistant in the manuscripts department of The British Museum, had accompanied the expedition as an archaeologist. He acquired a number of objects for the British Museum, including around 300 manuscripts which are now housed in the British Library. In 1868 the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh, donated to The British Museum two further collections f material from Maqdala. 

Detail
Museum number: Af1868,1001.6.a-b
Date: 19thC (mid)
Previous owner/ex-collection: Sir Richard Rivington Holmes
Acquisition date: 1868

Posted In Bishops crowns & regalia | Sacred artefacts | The Plunder
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Umbrella ornament

Published June 18, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A silver and brass umbrella ornament topped with an image of the Archangel Gabriel, taken by the British Museum’s expert on the expedition, Richard Rivington Holmes

Where: The British Museum, Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG

Provenance: Maqdala referenced at length in the museum’s acquisition notes.

The catalogue entry reads:

“Royal umbrella top made of silver. A copper base plate with circular hole is attached to the underside of the circular flat base with one copper and one brass nail. A short hollow stem extends from the base and has two holes for attaching to the top of an umbrella. This supports a spherical body which is decorated with eight radial bands of repousee work decorated with circular motifs. A central band, with repoussé edging is set with square cut glass and rock crystal of various colours, some of which are faceted. A rim extends out from below this band and is decorated with tiny conical bells, many of which are missing. An elaborate finial with repoussé work and conical bells is surmounted with a silver medallion containing a painting on paper of Archangel Gabriel. The haloed saint is depicted with raised wings, wearing an Ethiopian style cape with pendant panels. In his right hand he holds a raised sword and in his left the sword’s sheath. There is a faded Ge’ez inscription to the left. The painting is covered with a circle of glass and at the back of the painting is a piece of cloth, [cotton/silk]. The edge of the medallion has a finial patée cross, a further six are missing.”

Inscription translation: 
Gabriel

Curator’s comments: “In Ethiopia umbrellas, Tela, are used to protect and honour important dignitaries, the Imperial family and high ranking church officials. They are often made of silk and rich brocades decorated and embroidered with gold and silver. Royal umbrellas were further embellished with ornate finials made of silver or silver gilt. Elaborately decorated umbrellas are also used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to protect and honour church dignitaries. The Eucharist, Tabots or Tsellat of the church and other objects that are holy, such as icons and books may also be honoured in this way.”

Acquisition notes: Richard Rivington Holmes, an assistant in the manuscripts department of The British Museum, had accompanied the expedition as an archaeologist. He acquired a number of objects for the British Museum, including around 300 manuscripts which are now housed in the British Library. In 1868 the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh, donated to The British Museum two further collections of material from Maqdala. 

Details:
Museum number: Af1868,1001.5
Date: 18thC
Height: 30 cm
Diameter: 11 cm

Posted In Sacred artefacts | The Plunder | Umbrella ornaments
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The Limoges-Ethiopian diptych

Published June 18, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A Diptych, showing a 16th century Limoges enamel next to an engraving of the Ethiopian saint Abun Gabra Manfus Qeddus, taken by the British Museum’s expert on the expedition, Richard Rivington Holmes

Where: The British Museum, Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG

Provenance: Maqdala referenced at length in the museum’s acquisition notes. Used as an illustration on the museum’s Maqdala collection page.

The catalogue entry reads:

“Diptych contained in a silver gilt case which has on the front an applied eight pointed star decoration with a centrally mounted circular red stone [glass?]. The case is hinged along the right side by two small pin hinges, and opens from the left. It has two suspension points along the top edge.

“Inside the case on the left hand side is a late 16th century Limoges enamel, in the style of Pierre Raymond, depicting Christ taking leave of his mother. The enamel is a copy of the 1509 woodcut of the same title by Albrecht Durer. The enamel is held in place by a series of triangular “teeth” around the edge.

“On the right hand side is a gilded engraving of the Ethiopian saint Abun Gabra Manfus Qeddus. The saint is depicted standing with his hands raised in prayer, an elongated face with finely engraved features and a large halo. He wears a scapular and a robe scored with fine linear patterns representing the belief that the Saint was clothed only in his own hair. At his feet are four lions. Around the left side, top edge and right side are inscriptions in Ge’ez and further inscriptions to either side of the saint.”

Inscription Translation:
… Walata Giorgis [?]

Inscription Translation
Saint Abun Gabra manfus Qeddus

Acquisition notes: “Richard Rivington Holmes, an assistant in the manuscripts department of The British Museum, had accompanied the expedition as an archaeologist. He acquired a number of objects for the British Museum, including around 300 manuscripts which are now housed in the British Library. In 1868 the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh, donated to The British Museum two further collections of material from Maqdala.”

Detail
Museum number: Af1868,1001.7
Date: 16thC-19thC
Height: 11.50 cm
Width: 13 cm
Depth: 7 cm
Previous owner/ex-collection: Sir Richard Rivington Holmes
Acquisition date: 1868

Posted In Images & icons | Sacred artefacts | The Plunder
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Cast bronze processional cross

Published June 18, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A processional cross cast in bronze, taken by the British Museum’s expert on the expedition, Richard Rivington Holmes

Where: The British Museum, Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG

Provenance: Maqdala referenced at length in the museum’s acquisition notes.

The catalogue entry reads:

“Processional cross cast in bronze and engraved. The body of the cross is formed from an outlined patée cross filled with interlaced cruciform motifs, with four open work crosses at the intersection of each arm. The arms of the cross are further extended and embellished with fluid serpentine designs and circular cruciform motifs. The squared, hollow shaft of the cross is tapered and engraved front and back with Ge’ez inscriptions. Two lower arms extend out from the shaft in the form of interlaced parallel bands which curve out and attach to the base of the cross. Either side of the shaft is an abstract representation of a snake and an extended band which joins the arms of the cross. The surface of the cross is decorated with engraved linear and punched designs.”

Inscription Translation
This cross (is dedicated to the church of) Takla Haymanot.
Given by Asada Maryam

Exhibited:
1978, London, British Museum, Christian Orient
1995/6 Oct-Jan, Royal Academy of Arts, Africa: The Art of a Continent
1996 Mar-May, Berlin, Martin Gropius Bau, Africa: The Art of a Continent
1996 May-Sep, New York, Guggenheim Museum, Africa: The Art of a Continent
“Sacred: Discover what we share” British Library, 23rd Apr 2007 to 27th Sep 2007

Acquisition notes: “Richard Rivington Holmes, an assistant in the manuscripts department of The British Museum, had accompanied the expedition as an archaeologist. He acquired a number of objects for the British Museum, including around 300 manuscripts which are now housed in the British Library. In 1868 the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh, donated to The British Museum two further collections of material from Maqdala.”

Details
Museum number: Af1868,1001.16
Date: 16thC
Length: 47 cm
Width: 35 cm
Depth: 3 cm
Previous owner/ex-collection: Sir Richard Rivington Holmes
Acquisition date: 1868

Posted In Crosses | Sacred artefacts | The Plunder
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Processional cross, fragment

Published June 18, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: Fragment of a cross, made of silver, gilt and coloured glass, taken by the British Museum’s expert on the expedition, Richard Rivington Holmes

Where: The British Museum, Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG

Provenance: Maqdala referenced at length in the museum’s acquisition notes.

The catalogue entry reads:

“Central fragment of a processional cross made from silver gilt. A centrally placed convex medallion is engraved with the image of the crucifixion of Christ. To the left of the cross is a representation of the Virgin Mary with halo and to the right is Saint John the Evangelist. In the background are falling stars. Around the central medallion are eight pieces of square cut red and green glass in square settings. Four convex medallions each engraved with an angel form a cruciform pattern around the central medallion and three similar form the arms of a cross. At the top of the cross is a green coloured, piece of glass in a square setting. The cross is further decorated with punched cruciform patterns and silver gilt wire. Two holes in the central lower quarter indicate where the shaft would have been attached.

“The reverse of the cross is similar, but missing the central medallion and one of the pieces of red coloured glass and its setting.”

Curator’s comments: “The decoration of the cross uses multiple cruciform shapes, the alternate red and green pieces of square glass form a cross. The square is significant in Ethiopian iconography as it represents the cross, the Tabot and the throne of God.”

Acquisition notes: “Richard Rivington Holmes, an assistant in the manuscripts department of The British Museum, had accompanied the expedition as an archaeologist. He acquired a number of objects for the British Museum, including around 300 manuscripts which are now housed in the British Library. In 1868 the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh, donated to The British Museum two further collections of material from Maqdala.”

Detail
Museum number: Af1868,1001.10
Height: 36 cm
Width: 31 cm
Depth: 3 cm
Previous owner/ex-collection: Sir Richard Rivington Holmes
Acquisition date: 1868

Posted In Crosses | Sacred artefacts | The Plunder
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