Page 102 - Works of Art from Benin-Nigeria- West Africa

Works Art Benin.
86 Antique of from

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XLIII.

328 and 329. Broad iron sword, similar to Figs. 326 and 327,
Figs. leaf-shaped
Plate XLIT. The handle enclosed in a large ring of metal, 8 inches by
5 inches interior measurement, twisted in two places. It has probably
had a of wood, which has The blade, which is only
grip disappeared.
06 inch in thickness, is ornamented with a pattern of perforated holes.
The use of this instrument is unknown ; it may have been an execution
sword, but, if so, the ring-guard appears superfluous.
330. 354 and 355, Plate XLV. In
Fig. Iron staff, similar to the bronze one, Figs.
the cluster at the top is the figure of a bird surmounting an animal,
a chameleon, similar to the one down the stem, and
probably half-way
surrounded by a cluster of various implements and weapons, points
upwards, amongst which may be distinguished a fork with diamond-shaped
heads, a curved bill-hook, a chisel, a spud and a reaping-hook. Below this
are two clusters each of six hanging bells ; two sinuous snakes, heads
upwards, are crawling up the stem.
331 and 332. feet in and 1 foot 11 inches
Figs. Carved wooden board, 10^ length
broad ; from a house in Benin city. It is ornamented with five panels in
relief. Each panel has a circle with radiating lines, bounded by lines of
The several are broad bands of
guilloche pattern. panels separated by
interlaced strap-work, deeply carved. The interlaced strap- work varies in
design, some being simply plaited, and in others it is further complicated
with twists and returns. Some have two interlaced bands, others four.
The is and traced the without measure or
carving irregular by eye T-square.
Long sinuous snakes with heads are represented in the smaller lines
the and the effect of a meander. The whole of the
dividing panels give
carving has originally been covered with thin plates of brass or bronze
beaten on, traces of which are seen here and there fastened on with
oblong
rivets of metal.