Page 17 - Works of Art from Benin-Nigeria- West Africa

12 Antique Works of Art from Benin.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VI.

25 and 26. of a human lace. and bands on forehead
Figs. Ivory carving Eyes
inlaid. Straight line diaper pattern on head-dress, above which are con-
ventionalised mud-fish. Four bands of coral across forehead. Ears long
and narrow. Found hidden in an oaken chest inside the sleeping apartment
of King Duboar.
Fig. 27. Carved wooden panel, consisting of a chief in the centre ; broad leaf-shaped
sword, with ring attached to pommel, upheld in right hand, studded with
and ornamented with of itself. In left hand a
copper nails, representations
in two hands. of rank.
fan-shaped figure terminating Coral choker, badge
Bell on neck and cross-belts. Skirt ornamented with three heads and a
of three bands with Anklets. Attendant on
guilloche pattern pellets.
left umbrella over chief's head. with human arm and
holding Serpent
hand in its mouth, head upwards ; eyes of inlaid glass ; body studded with
copper nails. Leopard, drawn head upwards. On right, figure with jug in
left hand and in in a or vessel.
cup right hand, standing trough open
Small attendant with in hand. At a bottle bound with
paddle right top
and of some a stone celt bound with
grass, figure object, perhaps grass.
Brass and iron screws are used for ornamentation in this carving.
Guilloche of two bands without around the of the
pattern pellets edge
panel.
Figs. 28, 29 and 30. Ivory carved tusk, 4 feet 1 inch long from bottom to point ;
traversed by five bands of interlaced strap-work. The other ornamentation
consists of : Human with hands crossed on breast ; bird on
figures standing
; human with hands sashes ; trees down-
pedestal figures holding growing
wards ; a rosette ; mudfish ; crocodiles with heads upwards ; a serpent with
sinuous head downwards two a head
body, ; cups ; serpent, upwards ;
detached human heads. Some of the are so rude that it
representations
requires experience to understand their meaning. On this tusk the inter-
laced is the into the
pattern prevailing ornament, and it passes guilloche
pattern. This tusk is more tastefully decorated than the other tusk,
167 and in the These
Figs. 168, Plate XXVI, but with less variety carving.
carved tusks are said to in the houses.
represent gods Ju-ju