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Related collections in the museum Between 1885 and 1913 the RMV acquired a further series of objects, including some from the Sudan. In 1885 the Riebeck Collection consisting of ten objects was acquired, and the Schlüter Collection, comprising sixty-four items. The first-named collection contains objects that still have not been identified and described in detail; for the present they can only be characterised as 'Sudanese'. The Schlüter Collection includes objects produced by the Zande, the Dinka and the Mangbetu, ethnic groups whose objects Schuver had acquired. Schlüter was mainly interested in weapons, and his collection includes a relatively large number of spears and arrows, as well as weapons for striking and stabbing. Here, the Dinka spears are particularly interesting since Schuver himself was killed with a weapon of this kind. In 1889 the RMV purchased some thirty Sudanese objects from the collector G.A. Krause, who was primarily active in West Africa. These items included elephant tails, tobacco boxes, and a quiver complete with arrows, objects not found in the Schuver Collection. In 1890 and 1893, thanks to gifts made by the merchant A. Greshoff, who had been collecting material in Africa, the RMV acquired several objects, including some made by the Mangbetu and the Nzakara. Lenthold collected thirty or so small statues, including representations of a snake charmer, a praying Muslim, and a teacher in a madrasa (Koranic school), which the RMV purchased in 1893. These items provide a delightful picture of everyday life in the Sudan. Finally we must mention the small Cosman Collection, purchased in 1913, comprising some twenty objects produced by such Sudanese peoples as the Beja, Fur, and Shilluk. A particularly striking item is a dagger from British India ( unfortunately missing for the time being), which probably came from a soldier in the Indian Army involved in the 'pacification' of the Sudan. | |
