Page 7 - Works of Art from Benin-Nigeria- West Africa

Works Art Benin.
Antique of from

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE I.

Fig. 1. Bronze plaque, representing two warriors with broad leaf-shaped swords in
their hands. Coral or agate head-dress. Coral chokers, badge of
right
rank. teeth necklace. Coral scarf across shoulder. Leopards'
Leopards'
heads hanging on left sides. Skirts each ornamented with a human head.
Armlets, anklets, etc. Ground ornamented with the usual foil ornament
incised.
Fig. 2. Bronze plaque, representing two figures holding plaques or books in front.
Coral chokers, badge of rank. Reticulated head-dresses of coral or agate,
similar to that represented in Plate XXI, Fig. 121. Barbed objects of
unknown use behind left shoulders, ornamented with straight line diaper
Ground ornamented with foil ornaments incised. Guilloche on
pattern.
sides of
plaque.
Fig. 3. Bronze plaque, representing three warriors, two with feathers in head-dress
and trefoil leaves at top ; one with pot helmet, button on top. The latter

has a coral choker, badge of rank, and all have teeth necklaces.
leopards'
The central has a case 011 shoulder. Two have hands on
figure cylindrical
their sword-hilts. All three have heads on and
leopards' breast, quad-
bells from neck. skins and other
rangular hanging Leopards' objects hang
on left sides. Ground ornamented with foil ornaments incised.
Fig. 4. Bronze plaque, figure of warrior with spear in right hand, shield on left
shoulder. Head-dress of coral or similar to that in
agate, represented
121. from neck.
Plate XXI, Fig. Quadrangular bell hanging Chain-like
anklets. Coral choker, badge of rank, and leopards' teeth necklace. A
nude attendant on a broad
right upholds large leaf-shaped sword, with a
attached to Another holds two sistri or bells fastened
ring pommel.
together by a chain. Small figure on left is blowing an elephant's tusk
trumpet. Figures above in profile are holding up tablets or books. The
dress of one of them is fastened with or of unusual form. These
tags loops
have Roman not Ground orna-
figures noses, and are evidently negro.
mented with the usual foil ornament incised.