Punitive Neckpiece

Victorian Society saw itself as decent and philanthropic, as exemplified by its hero Livingstone, yet the voracious empire builders greedily raced to carve up Africa. There are artefacts relating to the punitive wars in Benin in the collections at the National Museum of the Royal Navy that remind us of the uncomfortable and barbaric truth of Imperialism. This neckpiece is a yoke, head brace, decorative headdress. NMRN Collection, Portsmouth Historic Dockyards