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Object type
means of exchange > trading object
Materials
glass, bead, cowrie
Theme
travel, exploration and research
Legend
Box of bead samplings. When preparing for his search for Dr. Livingstone, Stanley paid special attention to his beads, which he considered as brass currency, (cloth being silver currency, and brass wire, gold), in order to pay for food, toll or protection. He bought his beads at Zanzibar. All types of beads, which Stanley took to Africa, are sampled in 18 separate compartments, on threads to avoid scattering, with their names on small tags. Cowries also are present in this box.
This item belonged to the traveller Henry M. Stanley (1841-1904), and is now part of the Henry M. Stanley Collection of Memorabilia, that his son Denzil M. Stanley donated to the Museum in 1954. Along with other objects, it records Stanley's travels in Africa, and the Victorian era. http://www.africamuseum.be/museum/treasures/museum/treasures/beads
Original owner
Henry Morton Stanley (°1841 - †1904)
Date of acquisition
1954-08-18
Dimensions
28 cm x 18 cm x 9 cm
Inventory number
HO.1954.72.53
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