Page 88 - Works of Art from Benin-Nigeria- West Africa

Works Art Benin. 73
Antique of from

a conical ornament. The metal is fastened on to the wood with oblong
rivets. The face is extremely rudely carved. Round the base is a band
of ornament in repoussd work, which is either intended for a floral
peculiar
ornament or a broken guilloche pattern, like that on the blades of the
wands and elsewhere. There is a vertical hole through the back of the head,
which is not large enough to contain a tusk.
279 and 280. below the head of a staff intended
Figs. -Bronze rod, pointed ; perhaps
to fit on to a wooden stem. Ornamented with a human at
figure sitting
with a human-headed staff in
top, right hand, and a neolithic celt, edge
in left hand. Coral choker and head-dress with
up, serpents hanging
head downwards, and a band of straight line diaper pattern. Three
tribal marks over each Band of on for
eye. guilloche pattern skirt-rings
pendants (? crotals). Below, in a separate division, is a nude human
and in front in both hands. At sides
figure kneeling holding something
sinuous with the heads down, and crocodiles or lizards. Below
serpents
a sinuous head The whole cast.
again serpent, upwards. very rudely