Anklet
before 1868 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This anklet formerly belonged to Captain Tristram Charles Sawyer Speedy (1836-1910). It was donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum by his goddaughter in 1936. Speedy was an army officer and colonial official. In 1860 he travelled to Ethiopia to assist the emperor Tewodros II (Theodore) with military training. Speedy returned in 1868, this time as civilian interpreter to a British military expedition aimed at releasing British subjects held hostage by Tewodros. The expedition ended with the capture of the emperor’s fortress at Maqdala (Magdala), but not before Tewodros had committed suicide. The following death of his wife, Queen Woyzaro Terunesh, left an orphan son, Prince Dejatch Alamayou, whom the Amharic-speaking Captain became guardian to.
It is unclear how Speedy acquired the anklet. Museum documentation suggests that the main part of the anklet is formed of rhinoceros hide but it may be horn. This part has been tipped at both ends with silver, with further silver decoration on the main body.
It is unclear how Speedy acquired the anklet. Museum documentation suggests that the main part of the anklet is formed of rhinoceros hide but it may be horn. This part has been tipped at both ends with silver, with further silver decoration on the main body.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Hide or horn with silver ornament |
| Brief description | Anklet of hide or horn with silver tips and decoration, Ethiopia, before 1868. |
| Physical description | Crescent-shaped anklet of 'rhinoceros-hide' (or horn?) tipped at both ends with silver and with further silver decoration on the outer face of the main body in the form of a row of nine lozenges between two rows of circular bosses. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Henry Perrin |
| Object history | Accessions register entry: 'Anklet. Silver-mounted. Abyssinian; 19th century. Crescent-shaped, a foundation of rhinoceros-hide tipped at both ends and decorated in the middle with a row of nine lozenges between two rows of circular bosses. / Gift. Mrs Henry Perrin, 23 Holland Villas Road, Kensington, W.14.' Displayed in "V and A Africa: Exploring Hidden Histories" 15th November 2012- 3rd February 2013 |
| Subject depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | This anklet formerly belonged to Captain Tristram Charles Sawyer Speedy (1836-1910). It was donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum by his goddaughter in 1936. Speedy was an army officer and colonial official. In 1860 he travelled to Ethiopia to assist the emperor Tewodros II (Theodore) with military training. Speedy returned in 1868, this time as civilian interpreter to a British military expedition aimed at releasing British subjects held hostage by Tewodros. The expedition ended with the capture of the emperor’s fortress at Maqdala (Magdala), but not before Tewodros had committed suicide. The following death of his wife, Queen Woyzaro Terunesh, left an orphan son, Prince Dejatch Alamayou, whom the Amharic-speaking Captain became guardian to. It is unclear how Speedy acquired the anklet. Museum documentation suggests that the main part of the anklet is formed of rhinoceros hide but it may be horn. This part has been tipped at both ends with silver, with further silver decoration on the main body. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.442-1936 |
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| Record created | February 7, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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