Antique Works of Art from Benin: Collected by Lieutenant-General Pitt Rivers — John Shaqi
Antique Works of Art from Benin: Collected by Lieutenant-General Pitt RiversPitt-Rivers, Augustus Henry Lane-Fox
History
Antique Works of Art from Benin: Collected by Lieutenant-General Pitt Rivers
Pitt-Rivers, Augustus Henry Lane-Fox
Art objects -- Nigeria -- Benin City -- Catalogs
Fig. 245.--Brass bracelet, with six quadrangular knobs having red agate
inlaid; similar to Fig. 38, Plate VII.
Fig. 246.--Ægis of bronze, representing a horse's head; edged with
eyelets probably for suspending crotals, similar to Fig. 112, Plate
XIX, and Figs. 126 and 127, Plate XXI. Engraved on one side of the back
is a broad leaf-shaped sword with ring pommel, similar to that on the
Ægis, Fig. 276, Plate XXXVI. These engravings are peculiar, and seem to
denote a badge or mark, perhaps of ownership of some kind.
[Illustration: BACK VIEW.]
Fig. 247.--Bronze plaque, representing figure standing; weapon or
implement resembling a ranseur of the sixteenth or seventeenth century
in right hand, point upwards. Hair combed straight out. Pot helmet.
Bodice fastened with three buttons and tags, perhaps armour. Left hand
on left side. Band with clasp round waist. Pleated kilt like Fig. 129,
Plate XXII; Figs. 235 and 236, Plate XXXI; Figs. 324 and 325, Plate
XLII, and Figs. 360 and 361, Plate XLVI. This figure has very thick
lips, but might not be negro. Ground ornamented with leaves in twos and
threes, incised, and dotted punch-marks. The figure somewhat resembles
in character the mounted figure, Fig. 129, Plate XXII.
Fig. 248.--Bronze plaque, representing a figure playing a drum with
sticks; quadrangular bell on neck, ornamented with a sinuous snake,
head downwards. Head-dress with two feathers. Hair combed straight and
coiled in plaits. A peculiar kind of straight line diaper pattern on
drum. This drum has pegs with nobs to fasten down the skin, similar to
that represented on the plaque, Fig. 181, Plate XXVII, and to the Jekri
drum figured in "Journ. Anthrop. Inst.," Vol. I, New Series, Plate
VIII, Fig. 5. Ground ornamented with incised leaf-shaped foil ornaments
and punch-marks.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXXIII.
Figs. 249 and 250.--Large bronze cover, use unknown; the ribs
ornamented in the usual incised style of Benin work.
Figs. 251 and 252.--Top of a bronze mace, with slits resembling a
crotal and a figure with an object, probably a neolithic celt, in the
right hand. The figure appears to be bent forward.
Fig. 253.--Bronze round bell, similar to those attached to the dresses
on the plaques, Fig. 254, Plate XXXIII, and Fig. 264, Plate XXXIV.
Fig. 254.--Bronze plaque, representing a warrior, execution sword
upheld in right hand; broad leaf-shaped sword in left, with a twisted
ring or pommel. Quadrangular bell on neck, ornamented with a sinuous
snake. Round bell on side; peculiar head-dress; armlets; object like a
book under left arm; teeth necklace.
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