What: A fly-whisk with a ram’s horn for a handle
Where: The Duke of Wellington’s Regimental Museum, Bankfield Museum, Boothtown Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6HG
One of a number of small items in the museum’s collection
What: Iron fetters
Where: The National Museums of Scotland
Sources:
National Museums of Scotland spreadsheet
Accession number: A.L.367.14
Description: Iron fetters: Eastern Africa, Ethiopia, from the state prison at Magdala
Acquisition source: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
What: Iron fetters
Where: The National Museums of Scotland
Sources:
National Museums of Scotland spreadsheet
Accession number: A.L.367.15
Description: Iron fetters: Eastern Africa, Ethiopia, from the state prison at Magdala
Acquisition source: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
What: Iron fetters
Where: The National Museums of Scotland
Sources:
National Museums of Scotland spreadsheet
Accession number: A.L.367.16
Description: Iron fetters: Eastern Africa, Ethiopia, from the state prison at Magdala
Acquisition source: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
What: Whip with wooden handle
Where: The National Museums of Scotland
Sources:
National Museums of Scotland spreadsheet
Accession number: A.L.367.10
Description: Whip or geraf with wooden handle and long coiled leather lash, used for thrashing prisoners to death: Eastern Africa, Ethiopia, picked up in the state prison at Magdala
Acquisition source: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
What: A sewing box inscribed ‘Abyssinia 1867’, possibly a diplomatic gift, sold for £305 by Bonhams on 14 Dec 2005.
Where: Last in the hands of an unnamed buyer
The auction page, which has two pictures, describes: “A mid-19th century French ivory necessaire of rectangular curved end form, the lid engraved and black filled with a crest, motto and inscription ‘Abyssinia 1867’, the interior with a full complement of silver gilt tools, comprising; stiletto, bodkin, scissors, needlecase and thimble, all with matching dot engraved decoration, case 10.5 x 5.5cm.”
A footnote says: “Baron Napier of Magdala was appointed in May 1867 to command the British expedition to Abyssinia, however, the motto here is not his, but that of two other members of the family, namely Kilmachew and West Shandon of Dumbartonshire.”
Details
Lot 729
Sale 14 Dec 2005, 10:00 GMT at Bonhams, Knowle