The Prince and the Plunder

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

Tag: Pitt Rivers Museum – Oxford

The anthropologist’s scroll

Published February 26, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A roll of parchment inscribed and painted with figures, more than two metres long

Where: Pitt Rivers Museum, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PP

The catalogue entry has six pictures and describes: a “roll of parchment incribed in Amharic and painted with figures. Similar to other charms/amulets worn either on the person or on horses as protection from diseases.”

The base of the glass-topped box in which the object is currently kept is inscribed: “Long Himyaritic charm-roll, ABYSSINIA. Found at MAGDALA, 13 April, 1868. E.B. Tylor. Pres. by Lady Tylor, 1917”.

The Accession Book entry says it was part of the collection of the anthropologist Sir Edward Burnett Tylor, D.C.L., F.R.S.

It is not clear whether Tylor was on the expedition – his name does not appear to be mentioned in the official accounts – or whether he acquired the scroll from someone who was. 

Detail
1917.53.652
Dimensions: L = 2170 mm W = 75 mm

Posted In Manuscripts | Scrolls | The Plunder
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Gunpowder holder

Published March 06, 2023 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: Gunpowder holder without its lid, one of a collection of three

Where: Pitt Rivers Museum, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PP

The catalogue entry reads: “Cylindrical wooden powder holder, for measuring gunpowder. The mouth is narrower than the body and the lid is missing. The wood has a similar structure and appearance of bamboo.”

Accession Book Entry – G. F. LAWRENCE, 7 West Hill, Wandsworth- Jan. – [1 of] 3 wooden cases for measured charges of gunpowder, Magdala, Abyssinia – obtained by E. A. Henty.

Other information: This is definitely E.A. Henty in the accession book, nevertheless the field collector could in fact be George Alfred Henty, the children’s book author, who was in Ethiopia at the right time, see biographies [AP 24/9/2002]

Detail
1902.69.1

Posted In Gunpowder holders | Military | The Plunder
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Gunpowder holder

Published March 06, 2023 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: Gunpowder holder, one of a collection of three

Where: Pitt Rivers Museum, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PP

The catalogue entry reads: “Cylindrical wooden powder holder, for measuring gunpowder. The lid is decorated with notched patterns.”

Accession Book Entry – G. F. LAWRENCE, 7 West Hill, Wandsworth- Jan. – [1 of] 3 wooden cases for measured charges of gunpowder, Magdala, Abyssinia – obtained by E. A. Henty.

Written on object – Powder holder, MAGDALA, ABYSSINIA. E. A. Henty coll. Purch. 1902. [SM 31/10/2007]

Other information: This is definitely E.A. Henty in the accession book, nevertheless the field collector could in fact be George Alfred Henty, the children’s book author, who was in Ethiopia at the right time, see biographies [AP 24/9/2002]

Detail
1902.69.2

Posted In Gunpowder holders | Military | The Plunder
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Gunpowder holder

Published March 06, 2023 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: Gunpowder holder, one of a collection of three

Where: Pitt Rivers Museum, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PP

The catalogue entry describes a “cylindrical wooden powder holder, for measuring gunpowder. The lid is decorated with notched patterns.” 

The Accession Book entry reads: “G. F. LAWRENCE, 7 West Hill, Wandsworth- Jan. – [1 of] 3 wooden cases for measured charges of gunpowder, Magdala, Abyssinia – obtained by E. A. Henty.”

Written on object – Powder holder, MAGDALA, ABYSSINIA. E. A. Henty coll. Purch. 1902. [SM 31/10/2007]

Other information: This is definitely E.A. Henty in the accession book, nevertheless the field collector could in fact be George Alfred Henty, the children’s book author, who was in Ethiopia at the right time, see biographies [AP 24/9/2002]

Detail
902.69.3

Posted In Gunpowder holders | Military | The Plunder
Tagged