Horn Trophy of the Battle of Magdala C.1868.

Very large ox horn drinking vessel with silver mounts engraved with an inscription relating to the 1868 Battle of Magdala, conclusion of the British military expedition to Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia). 30" long with a maximum diameter of 5½". Mounted with silver plated bands making fixing points for a leather carry strap plus further saw-tooth edged mounts to the ends, with a glass base and a finial stopper to the tip. Engraved inscription reads ‘This horn was brought from Magdala by Captain E Harrison 4th Kings Own April 1868’. Plus a second presentation inscription on the upper band addressed to ‘Thomas Aldersey Aldersey from E. Harrison 1868’. Overall very good condition , though there is unfortunately a crack to the glass base and the cork stopper is missing.

An extraordinary example of ‘gunboat diplomacy’ and the British Empire’s ability to fight anywhere across the globe, the Abyssinian campaign saw 12,000 British and Indian troops (including the 4th King Own infantry regiment), march for two months to the hilltop fort citadel of Magdala where they routed the army of Emperor Tewodros II. The Emperor, offended by the British ignoring his letter to Queen Victoria requesting arms and skilled workers, had taken hostage the British Consul and imprisoned the country’s European population together with a previous mission sent to negotiate their release. In a poignant final act the famously proud Tewodros avoided the humiliation of capture by the British by shooting himself with a pistol gifted to him by Queen Victoria.

The aftermath of the battle saw the British loot a vast amount of treasure from Magdala including crowns, personal royal possessions and important Orthodox Christian manuscripts and vestments which were all auctioned off and the money distributed amongst the troops. Ultimately many of the artefacts found their way into the collections of several European museums. The Victoria and Albert museum famously still holds a collection of tabots or arks looted from Magdala. Believed by Ethiopian Christians to be the dwelling place of God on earth, they have never been on public display and can only be seen, even by a curator, with the agreement of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. Interestingly the V&A Magdala collection also includes a silver mounted horn cup.

The Aldersey family took their name from the lands they owned around Aldersey in Cheshire. Thomas Aldersey (1830-1899) became sheriff of the county in 1862. Aldersey Hall was demolished in the mid 20th.c.

Dimensions: length 30?, diameter 5½”.

Please contact us for more images, delivery and international shipping quotes. Alternatively you are welcome to view and collect at our large warehouse showroom in Llandudno Junction, North Wales (approximately 45mins from Chester). We have a large and ever changing selection of genuine good quality antique furniture of all types and have twice been shortlisted for the Home and Antiques Magazine Antique Shop of the Year Award. Open 7 days a week. 01492 580022.