A watercolour drawing of three heads of African sitters, on grey paper. Two of the heads are shown in profile to the left, and the third, accompanied by a shield and spear, to the right. Signed.

Robert Baden-Powell was a lieutenant general in the British Army, later becoming founder of the Scout Movement. During the Anglo-Boer War he led the British defence of the South African town of Mafeking. Baden-Powell has also attracted controversy for ordering the trial and execution of prisoners of war during the 1896 Matabeleland (Ndebeleland) rebellion. 

Baden-Powell was an enthusiastic amateur draughtsman who made many sketches during his time in (present day) South Africa and Zimbabwe. In 1907 a number of his drawings were published as a book with the title 'Sketches in Mafeking and East Africa'. Baden-Powell requested permission through Lord Knollys to present a copy of this work to King Edward VII (see RCIN 1134288).