Page 75 - Works of Art from Benin-Nigeria- West Africa

Antique Works of Art from Benin. 63

235 and 236. Bronze of a native, holding what to be a flint-
Figs. figure appears
lock gun, but the hammer of the lock is broken off. The stock is
ornamented with a debased human head. The figure has a leopard's skin
on front and back, tail and hind of which are shown behind ; the tail
legs
terminates in a square bell. Sword in sheath on right side and a dagger
under the arm on left side, with small bags on both sides. There is a row
of in the waist-belt in front. The to
eighteen cartridges cartridges appear
be stuck upright into sockets in the belt. A curved horn powder-flask is
on the belt on the left side. Pleated kilt below waist-belt. On the ground,
touching the feet, is a decapitated head and nine large pellets, perhaps
cannon balls. The pedestal ornamented with interlaced strap-work,
with oval in character the ornament on the
alternating figures, resembling
stock of the gun. It stands on a framework of curved bars, now broken.
The breeches are ornamented with vertical rows of circles. Although this
holds a flint-lock it is a native, as three tribal
figure gun, undoubtedly
marks are shown above each The face is also The head-
eye. prognathic.
dress seems to be of a woven material.