Page 9 - Works of Art from Benin-Nigeria- West Africa

Works Art Benin.
Antique of from

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE II.

Figs. 5 and 6. Bronze plaque, representing a warrior in centre, turned to his left.
He has a beard and a necklace of leopards' teeth, but no coral choker.
He has a high helmet, somewhat in the form of a grenadier cap. Quad-
bell on neck. in sheath on
rangular Dagger right side, and various
appurtenances hanging from his dress. He holds a narrow leaf-shaped
sword in his hand over an who has fallen, and who has
right enemy
a sword thrust his The victim has a
already leaf-shaped through body.
sword-sheath on left side, with broad end, and a head-dress. His
peculiar
horse below with an attendant it a chain and
is
represented holding by
barbed darts in his left hand. On the of the
carrying right conqueror
is a small a tusk and on his a
figure blowing trumpet, right larger figure
carrying a shield in his left hand and a cluster of weapons. He has a
high helmet, ornamented with representations of cowrie shells of nearly
the same form as that of the central Above are two one
figure. figures,
what to be a musical instrument and the other
blowing appears carrying
a barbed pointed implement, and armed with a sword in sheath similar to
that of the fallen warrior. The plaque appears to represent a victory of
some kind, and all the conquerors have the same high helmet. The ground
is ornamented with the usual foil ornament incised.
Figs. 7 and 8. Bronze plaque, representing a king or noble on horseback sitting
his hands thin
sideways, upheld by attendants, one of whom has a long
sword in his hand in sheath. Two attendants, with helmets or hair
represented by ribs, are holding up shields to shelter the king from the
sun. The of rank, with a coral
king or noble has a coral choker, badge
necklace hanging on breast. Horse's head-collar hung with crotals. A
" "
small attendant carries a manilla in his hand. The two above
figures
are armed with bows and arrows. Ground ornamented with foil ornaments
incised.
De <; both the king and
Bry, India Orientalis," says that in the sixteenth century
chiefs were wont to ride side-saddle upon led horses.
They were supported by retainers,
who held over their heads either shields or umbrellas, and accompanied by a band of
musicians playing on ivory horns, gong-gongs, drums, harps, and a kind of rattle.