Collection Highlights
This page shows and describes items from the Harrison Collection. We welcome contributions that will enhance our shared understanding of these pieces. If you’d like to get in touch, please email global@smtrust.uk.com.
Early 20th Century woven wicker and wood shield with painted decoration. Democratic Republic of Congo. Provenance unknown
Early 20th century taxidermized aardvark. Democratic Republic of Congo. Believed to be the one mentioned in Harrison's diaries.
Taxidermized head of a Grant's Gazelle. Lake Rudolph, 1900, believed to be part of the Harrison Collection
A Ngulu Sword, an execution sword used by the Bantu peoples of the Congo Basin.
A box of photographic prints
Harrison’s diaries
A Mantled guereza
A box of glass plate negatives
A Jaguar from South America, probably Brazil. 1885.
Originally thought to be a whip, this is more likely to be the means used to climb trees to collect honey. The handle would be held in one hand whilst the length would go round the girth of the tree and moved up in order for a person to climb the tree to access honey
Stringed musical instrument with patterned base board. Provenance unknown
Stringed wooden musical instrument. Provenance unknown
Base of a stringed musical instrument. The strings would have been strung between the gaps in the wood at either end.
Ceremonial knife, used in dances to celebrate significant events such as marriages
Ceremonial knife used within dances at significant events, such as weddings
Woven shield with pattern detail.
Woven shield with straps for tying to forearm. Evidence of arrow holes on front.
Body armour – holes within the main part allow straps of leather to be threaded through and strapped to either the chest or back. Made from animal hide
Ceremonial knife, used in dances within significant ceremonies such as weddings
Ceremonial knife used in dances within significant events such as weddings
Heavy copper torque style collar – this is something which would have been worn by an individual of high status, such as the chief of a community
Bark pouches with rattle inside. Thought to be some form of musical instrument
Hair comb – these are still used today, and whilst plastic versions are available, detailed ones such as this are preferred
Hair comb - carved with detail on the handle. Contemporary versions are made in plastic, but these are still prefered.
Beaded Choker – as with the copper torque, this choker collar is high status and something which would have been worn by someone such as the chief’s wife
Woven plate – used for presenting fruit etc. May also be used for sifting grains
Shallow woven bowl – used for presenting fruit etc. May also be used for sifting grains
Shallow woven bowl with pattern detail – used for presenting fruit etc. May also be used for sifting grains
Fly Whisk – used to swat away flies. Made with real animal hair
Fly Whisk – used to swat away flies. Detailed beadwork on handle. The length of plant material has been truncated for some reason
Fly Whisk – used to swat away flies. Detailed beaded handle with cowrie shells. The plant material here is in its original long format
Ceremonial knife – used in dances during significant events such as weddings
Knife with what appears to be an ivory handle. The indentation suggests there would have been some form of decoration there.
Scabbard for long thin knife. None of the knives in the collection appear to fit this.