Page 105 - Works of Art from Benin-Nigeria- West Africa

Works Art Benin.
58 Antique of from

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XLIV.

336. Wooden casket in the form of an ox's head, coated with thin brass
Fig.
riveted on. From the forehead two human hands rise up holding the
horns. Along the forehead and along the sides are three lines of single
guilloche pattern in repousse work. The pupils of the eyes are inlaid with
a dark substance. It appears to be a box or casket of some kind. A
similar box is shown in the hands of the small figure in plaque No, 18,
Plate IV. A similar from Benin is Mr.
precisely object figured by Ling
18 ; and there is also another
Koth in "The Studio," December, 1898, Fig.
"
similar in the British Museum, figured in Antiquities from Benin in the
British Museum," Plate XI, Fig. 9.
337. Half of a bronze circlet or necklet, similar to 158, Plate XXV;
Fig. Fig.
ornamented with two human forms with attenuated bodies and conventional
of circles with five circular to the
heads, consisting punch-marks represent
features, and two other similar heads without bodies. The arms of these
two are bound at the wrists. At the feet of these two
figures together
extended are two human heads of well executed,
figures negro type, very
and a head. It is ornamented in other a broad leaf-
leopard's places by
shaped sword and spirals. This remarkable work of savage art is shown in
detail in the annexed woodcut.
greater
338. an execution sword, but rather too small for that
Fig. Bronze sword, perhaps
purpose ; with wooden grip and pommel. The blade is ornamented on both
sides with incised semicircles and curved lines. The cutting edge is on the
convex side.
339.- an execution sword, but rather too small for that
Fig. Bronze sword, perhaps
purpose ; ornamented with incised semicircles, like Fig. 338, and chevrons
filled with incised lines. The ornamented with incised
parallel grip parallel
bands in imitation of The blade is also ornamented with
binding. peculiar
incised scrolls and circular and diamond forms.
punch-marks,
340. Bronze ornamented with Inlaid in
Fig. pin, four conventionalized birds.
various with red
places agate, and ornamented with circular punch-marks.