Page 21 - Works of Art from Benin-Nigeria- West Africa

16 Antique Works of Art from Benin.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VIII.

41 and 42. of a warrior in bronze, with skin dress
Figs. Figure leopard's ; javelins
in one hand and shield in the other. Head-dress of peculiar form, with
feathers. Leopards' teeth necklace. Quadrangular bell on breast.
43 and 44. Female in bronze, a tablet in hand.
Figs. figure holding up right
Head-dress, necklace, &c., of coral or agate. Three tribal marks over each
eye.
45 and 45. Bronze vessel, somewhat in the form of a Handle at
Figs. coffee-pot.
of a snake with a sinuous a
back, consisting body, head downwards, holding
human in its mouth. The consists of a human
full-length figure spout figure,
seated, with two tails ; and the spout springs out of the mouth between the
teeth of the Round the swell of the vessel are four resem-
figure. figures
the bodies ornamented as human heads similar orna-
bling frogs, ; nearly
ments are seen on Mexican stone in this collection. The four feet
carvings
resemble human feet (with anklets, all pointing to the front. The lid is
ornamented with a human^figure seated and four masks, and is fastened to
the pot by a hinge.
Figs. 47 and 48. Bracelet of bronze, ornamented with two rudely formed human
heads ; some of the yellow earth of the mould appears to be adhering to the
interstices.