Page 58 - Works of Art from Benin-Nigeria- West Africa

Works Art from Benin.
5 () Antique of

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXV.

153 and 154. Carved head of the of lead, inlaid. This
Figs. ivory leopard, spots
resembles in form the bronze ones, Figs. 58-63, Plate X. It is apparently
very old.
155 to 157. carved sistrum, with a and a small bell, similar to the
Figs. Ivory large
brass one, Figs. 76-78, Plate XII. On the side of the large bell is a
chief with his hands attendants in the usual manner
standing upheld by ;
a snake-headed sash hangs from waist. On the top two carved figures, one
of which has been broken off. At the back of the small bell is a band of
straight line diaper pattern, and on the top a crocodile's head holding a
closed human hand. It is much broken. This is of interest as
object
showing it to be a survival derived from a metal sistrum. Mr. H. Ling
"
Roth has described this at some in The Studio," December,
object length
1898.
158. Necklace of bronze, ornamented with human heads in and birds
Fig. relief,
with meant for but too for that
long beaks, perhaps vultures, long-necked
bird, picking at the figures of extended skeletons. In the intervals
between the other are oval holes with raised a
figures edges, probably
degenerate representation of the coiled mud-fish so frequently shown in
other Benin The end of the necklace
antiquities. fastening is broken,
the fact that the core of the is of some material
disclosing object lighter
encased in or bronze. It has a on one to
copper hinge side, probably
facilitate the
opening of it.
Figs. 159 and 160. Brass handle of iron sword, with fragment of the iron sword in
it. It has two human faces back to back, covered by one hat, as in Figs.
147 and 148, Plate XXIV, and representations of European screw-heads
used as ornaments, as in Fig. 140, Plate XXIII.