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
Figs. 318 and 319.--Wooden seat, of oblong form, supported by four
legs, with cross-braces. All the ornamental portions are plated with
thin brass, beaten on and riveted. The top of the seat is ornamented in
the centre and ends by bands of single and double guilloche pattern,
and in the centre of the 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 by wheel-shaped forms, in eight places, and half-moons,
similar to those on the ground-work of the plaque, Fig. 180, Plate
XXVII. The stool in various parts is ornamented by brass-headed nails,
which might perhaps be European.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XLII.
Figs. 320 and 321.--Wooden bird resembling a turkey. The inlaying of
the eyes has disappeared; the feathers are conventionally represented
by carved squares and lines of herring-bone pattern. On the top is a
rudely-cut vertical projection 5 inches high and 2-1/2 inches broad,
the meaning of which is unknown; and from it hangs on each side of
the bird, a broad band 3-1/2 inches broad, carved with four rows of
herring-bone pattern, the meaning of which is also unknown. The front
of the base is ornamented with a guilloche pattern of four strands.
Fig. 322.--Circular brass fan, thickness of metal, .02 inch; ornamented
with bands of guilloche pattern, herring-bone, and straight line diaper
patterns. The handle is riveted to the fan.
Fig. 323.--Fan of hide. The sewing of leather resembles that of the
brass fan, Fig. 322, Plate XLII.
Figs. 324 and 325.--Bronze group of three human figures, the front
figure kneeling, the hands in an attitude of prayer. The upper part
naked, the lower part covered by a pleated kilt or skirt, similar to
Figs. 129, 235, 236, and 247. The corners of the eyes ornamented with
a raised barbed figure. A belt of two ropes round the waist with two
loops behind, in one of which hang two links of a chain. This figure
is attended behind by two short figures standing and armed with swords
in sheaths. Coral necklaces and anklets. Three tribal marks incised
over each eye. On the ground are three decapitated human heads, face
upwards, and a dog. The base is ornamented with coiled figures.
Figs. 326 and 327.--Broad leaf-shaped iron sword, similar to Figs. 328
and 329, Plate XLIII. The handle enclosed in a large ring of metal,
7 inches in diameter. The blade, which is .08 inch in thickness, is
perforated by a pattern of holes.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XLIII.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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