Ashanti war trumpet, 1824

This trumpet was obtained during the First Ashanti War (1823-1831) in 1824. It is made of the tusk of an elephant and covered with fish skin. The accompanying information states that it was 'held in much veneration by the natives', but was taken at the action of 21 January 1824 in which the British Governor, Brigadier-General Sir Charles McCarthy, was killed. His head was unfortunately secured by the Ashanti as a war trophy.