Page 98 - Works of Art from Benin-Nigeria- West Africa

82 Antique Works of Art from Benin.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XLI.

314 to 316. Wooden stool, the the stem carved
Figs. top slightly basin-shaped;
to two interlaced but the interlacing is not continuous,
represent serpents,
broken a hole the centre of the shaft.
being by square pierced through
The heads of the serpents are conventional and they bend towards the
and bottom on alternate sides. The tails of the serpents terminate in
top
the mouths of two carved on the base and underside of the top of the
frogs
seat. A human figure is in the mouth of the serpent resting on the base,
a bill-hook in his left hand, similar to 108 and 109,
holding Figs.
Plate XVIII. On the underside of the seat, the serpent holds a leopard in
its mouth ; leopard holding a palm branch in its mouth. The other figures
carved on the base and underside of the top are two degenerate mud-fish
and two degenerate elephants' heads, the proboscis terminating in a human
hand, like Figs. 72 and 167. The seat is ornamented with an interlaced
guilloche pattern surrounding the top edge of the seat.
317. Wooden ornamented in the centre a coil of interlaced
Fig. plaque, by strap
work, bounded by two lines of zigzag pattern. On one side a broad leaf
shaped sword with a ring pommel, similar to Figs. 326 and 327, Plate XLII,
and 328 and 329, Plate XLIII. The handle is ornamented with a
Figs.
line On the other side is an execution
straight diaper pattern. represented
sword, similar to Fig. 110, Plate XVIII.
318 and 319. Wooden of four with cross-
Figs. seat, oblong form, supported by legs,
braces. All the ornamental are with thin brass, beaten on
portions plated
and riveted. The of the seat is ornamented in the centre and ends
top by
bands of and double and in the centre of the
single guilloche pattern,
squares by a square pattern of interlaced strands riveted on, similar to that
represented on the blade of the sword, Fig. 199, Plate XXVIII. The legs
and sides of the seat are ornamented in
by wheel-shaped forms, eight places,
and half- moons, similar to those on the ground- work of the plaque, Fig. 180,
Plate XXVII. The stool in various is ornamented brass-headed
parts by
nails, which might perhaps be European.