Part 3

Figs. 174 and 175.--Dagger, the handle ornamented with lines of dots and circles. The blade has an ogee section, similar to that which prevails in the Gaboon and nearly all parts of Africa.

Figs. 176 and 177.--Wooden head-dress. The horizontal bar appears to represent a shark with mouth and tail, ornamented with carved representations of animals and masks. Said to be from Benin, West Africa. The masks are quite characteristic of Benin art. The eyes of the large mask are formed of the metal bases of cartridges, which proves it to be quite modern. It is similar in character to Fig. 183, Plate XXVII. It is perhaps Jekri, see a paper by Messrs. Granville and Ling Roth in the "Journ. Anthrop. Inst.," Vol. I, New Series, Plate VIII, Fig. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXVII.

Fig. 178.--Ivory trumpet, made of the point of an elephant's tusk. Mouth-hole on the convex side. The butt end is ornamented with two snakes in two bands, tails in mouths.

Fig. 179.--Bronze plaque, with five figures; the central figure with coral choker, badge of rank, coral or agate head-dress with feather, and sash. Broad leaf-shaped sword upheld in right hand; spear, point down, in left. Two boys, one with ivory trumpet, the other holding a brass box nearly similar to Figs. 122 and 123, Plate XXI. These objects have been described by Messrs. Read and Dalton as drums in their paper in the "Journ. Anthrop. Inst.," Vol. XXVII, Plate XVIII, Fig. 4. Viewed as a drum, the projecting flanges at top and bottom are not explained. Leopard's head on girdle. Attendants carrying shields; quadrangular bells on necks. The left attendant is holding the same spear as the central figure, point down, as in Fig. 17, Plate IV. Head-dresses of attendants with ornaments of cowrie shells. Ground ornamented with leaf-shaped foil ornaments incised.

Fig. 180.--Bronze plaque, representing the figure of a warrior, with unusually formed helmet, apparently of metal. Quadrangular bell on neck and teeth necklace. Shield on right arm, and spear with square cap at butt end, point downwards, in left hand. The ground is ornamented with two half-moons and the usual leaf-shaped foil ornaments incised.

Fig. 181.--Bronze plaque, representing three figures, the central one beating a drum with his fingers, and no drum-sticks. The drum has pegs with knobs to fasten down the skin, like Fig. 248, Plate XXXII, and similar to the Jekri drum figured in the "Journ. Anthrop. Inst.," Vol. I, New Series, Plate VIII, Fig. 5. Quadrangular bell on chest. Both the side figures hold sistri with two bells, like Figs. 76 to 78, Plate XII, upheld in their left hands, which they are beating with sticks in their right hands. This plaque gives a fair idea of the kind of music used in Benin.

Fig. 182.--Brass oblong box, lid deficient. Lock of European form and ornamentation. Faces and sides of box ornamented with raised rosettes and incised floral designs resembling that on Figs. 76 to 78, Plate XII, Fig. 225, Plate XXX, Fig. 282, Plate XXXVII, and Fig. 306, Plate XL. It has four legs, and is European in appearance.

Fig. 183.--Wooden head-dress, with carved representations of animals on top. Said to be from Benin, West Africa. It was brought over from West Africa with things from Benin. It is similar in character to Figs. 176 and 177, Plate XXVI. It is perhaps Jekri, see a paper by Messrs. Granville and Ling Roth in the "Journ. Anthrop. Inst." Vol. I, New Series, Plate VIII, Fig. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXVIII.

Figs. 184 and 185.--Large mancala board of bronze. It has 352 holes; another in this collection, Fig. 116, Plate XX, has only ten circular holes. The sides are ornamented with rectangular forms linked together. This game is distributed all over Africa, especially where Arab influence is seen. It is also found in Palestine, Syria, Arabia, Maldive Islands, India, Ceylon, Malay Peninsula, Java and the Philippine Islands.

Figs. 186 and 187.--Curved iron knife, with handle carved as a human figure. The edge is on the convex side.

Figs. 188 and 189.--Dagger in leather sheath. Blade with a quadrilateral section. Brass handle with forked pommel.

Figs. 190 and 191.--A dagger or prod of ivory. Negro head on the upper part, below which is a human female figure reversed and crouched; the hands holding the breasts; the legs crouched up. Stained yellow; blunt pointed.

Figs. 192 and 193.--Point of elephant's tusk, carved with a representation of a human figure kneeling. At point, a skeleton of a crocodile, and a human head at base, the mouth of which is peculiar. It appears to be a whistle or musical instrument.

Figs. 194 and 195.--Knife with ivory handle. The brass sheath ornamented with human figures, a floral ornament, and a man on a horse.

Figs. 196 and 197.--Pointed rod of bronze, ornamented with two heads. Head-dress of upper head ornamented with bands of straight line diaper pattern. Crocodile head holding lower part of the rod in mouth.

Figs. 198 and 199.--Broad knife-shaped sword of iron; the wooden handle bound with brass and iron bands alternating. On one side the blade is engraved with a human figure and an execution sword traced in lines of dots and incised lines, as is frequently the case in Australian representations of figures on wood. The other side of the blade has an ornamentation in leaves on a sinuous stem, and a square pattern of interlaced bands.

Fig. 200.--Brass bracelet, having amongst other ornaments a band of straight line diaper pattern.

Fig. 201.--Bronze link or buckle, or portion of one, with incised floral guilloche ornament, similar to that on the brass wand, Fig. 211, Plate XXIX, and the armlets, Fig. 140, Plate XXIII, and Fig. 238, Plate XXXII.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXIX.

Figs. 202 and 203.--Brass dancing sword or wand, said to be used by virgins in their dances. The handle is ornamented with two figures, which appear to be holding some objects. The blade is engraved with guilloche pattern on both sides.

Figs. 204 to 209.--Three brass dancing swords or wands, said to be used by virgins in their dances. Each handle is ornamented by four rudely cast figures back to back, carrying objects in their hands, two of which can be identified as birds, and two or three have leaf-shaped swords with ring on pommel. One has bands of straight line diaper pattern. The blades are ornamented with guilloche patterns and floral ornaments incised.

Figs. 210 and 211.--Brass dancing sword or wand, said to be used by virgins in their dances. The handle is ornamented with four figures, which are in pairs back to back. They appear to be holding swords and other objects. The blade is ornamented on one side with bands of strap-work, and on the other with a sinuous line of branching leaves (floral guilloche). Straight line diaper pattern and lines of half-circles are on the square stem of the handle.

Figs. 212 and 213.--Iron wedge-shaped sword, single-edged, enlarging to a broad end. Ivory handle; the grip carved in pointed leaves and studded with lead; pommel in form of a leopard's head; the eyes inlaid with lead; a band carved as two scaly snakes at bottom. The scabbard worked in green plush and red cloth, with human figures and tortoises alternating. This is probably the kind of work represented in metal on some of the dresses on the plaques. The sword belts terminate in tassels of worsted or some other limp material.

Fig. 214.--Iron spear-head, modern, with ogee section, similar to those of Benin. Iron and brass bound shaft.

Figs. 215 and 216.--Iron spear, length 4 feet 11 inches, the head having an ogee section, similar to those used at the present time on the Gaboon and elsewhere in West Africa. Below the spear-head the shaft is ornamented with bronze figures of leopards in two places and two degenerate elephants' heads and eyes, the proboscis terminating in a human hand holding a leaf, as so frequently shown elsewhere. The butt end is cased and bound with brass. The shaft is of iron, with a brass band on the upper parts.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXX.

Figs. 217 and 218.--Carved cocoa-nut, with carving representing a European in boat with spear in right hand and apparently a paddle in the left hand. Figure armed with hoe, and another cutting a palm-tree, with a kind of chisel in the right hand and a bill-hook in the left. One of the figures has distinct buttons on the coat.

Figs. 219 to 221.--Carved cocoa-nut, representing a native on a horse to left, holding up chain-bridle in left hand; spear in right hand, point down. Horse very ill-formed and indistinct. Another carving represents a figure, apparently in boat, holding spears point down. One of the figures is beating a pressure drum, which Mr. Ling Roth describes as being similar to those of the modern Yorubas. The drum-sticks used by two of the figures have curved heads and flat ends. A band of chevrons within chevrons are on the trousers of two figures. The marks on the faces consist of three lines radiating from the corners of the mouth, as in Figs. 90 and 91, Plate XV, and crosses on the cheeks. Tribal marks on faces. A native execution sword, similar to Fig. 110, Plate XVIII, and a flint-lock gun are represented separately between the other figures. The cocoa-nut is hung by a chain of European manufacture. The stopper represents a human face on two supports. Mr. H. Ling Roth, in whose possession this object formerly was, gives a more detailed account of it in "The Studio," December, 1898.

Fig. 222.--Small brass crotals with semicircular ornaments.

Figs. 223 and 224.--Brass bracelet, ornamented with brass representations of rows of cowrie shells, in groups of nine.

Figs. 225 and 226.--Brass object of unknown use, ornamented on the outside with three half-moons and a floral pattern in incised lines, similar to that on the brass sistrum, Figs. 76 to 78, Plate XII; the brass box, Fig. 182, Plate XXVII, and the large quadrangular bell, Figs. 281 and 282, Plate XXXVII. The half-moons are inlaid or plated in copper on the brass. The edges of the object are ornamented with a band of plain guilloche pattern incised. It is possible that this might be a degenerate representation of a double-coiled mud-fish, as shown on the bronze ægis, Fig. 276, Plate XXXVI, and on the bronze necklet, Fig. 158, Plate XXV.

Fig. 227.--Necklet of agate and coral beads. Said to have belonged to the King of Benin.

Fig. 228.--Armlet of coral beads.

Fig. 229.--Necklace of agate cylindrical beads.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXXI.

Fig. 230.--Eight shells of bronze gilt, forming part of a necklace.

Fig. 231.--Ten gold shells, which formed part of the King of Benin's necklace. The shells appear to be "cerithidæ." They are cast hollow. The weight of the ten is 8-3/4 ounces.

Figs. 232 to 234.--Bronze statuette, representing a figure standing; with broad leaf-shaped sword, similar to Figs. 326, 327, 328 and 329, having a twisted ring pommel in right hand, and a sistrum in left hand. Coral choker, badge of rank. Three tribal marks over each eye. Agate head-dress, similar to Fig. 121, Plate XXI, and curved agate pendants on each side. A large twisted ring rises out of the head-dress, which looks as if intended to enclose some thick band of cloth or other substance to suspend it. The crown of the head-dress terminates in a thick cylindrical spike with a flat top, like Fig. 111, Plate XIX, Fig. 155, Plate XXV, and Figs. 167 and 168, Plate XXVI. The sistrum is ornamented with a full-length human figure, holding a staff in right hand and the so-called key or axe in left hand. Beneath the bowl of the sistrum are three projecting cruciform bars, and the upper edge of the bowl is ornamented on each side with two heads very rudely cast. Dr. Felix Roth, in the "Halifax Naturalist," June, 1898, p. 33, speaks of these projecting prongs as being used for killing victims for sacrificial purposes, but the fact of their being sistri is shown in connection with Fig. 181, Plate XXVII. Sinuous serpents cover the shaft and bowl of the sistrum. The leaf-shaped sword is ornamented, front and back, with small imitations of itself. The figure has bands, probably of coral, crossing on the breast. The skirt is ornamented with conventionalized human heads with long hair and rows of guilloche pattern. Ankles have coral anklets. The skirt is bound up in the usual manner in a band behind the left shoulder. There is a band of small bells round the hips, and a human head and a bunch of bells on the left side. This figure was obtained from the Liverpool Museum, in the report of which it is elaborately described and figured with three others like it. "Bulletin of the Liverpool Museums," Vol. I, No. 2, p. 59. There is a figure like this in the British Museum. It is of considerable weight, being cast solid.

Figs. 235 and 236.--Bronze figure of a native, holding what appears to be a flint-lock gun, but the hammer of the lock is broken off. The stock is ornamented with a debased human head. The figure has a leopard's skin on front and back, tail and hind legs of which are shown behind; the tail terminates in a square bell. Sword in sheath on right side and a dagger under the arm on left side, with small bags on both sides. There is a row of eighteen cartridges in the waist-belt in front. The cartridges appear to be stuck upright into sockets in the belt. A curved horn powder-flask is on the belt on the left side. Pleated kilt below waist-belt. On the ground, touching the feet, is a decapitated head and nine large pellets, perhaps cannon balls. The pedestal ornamented with interlaced strap-work, alternating with oval figures, in character resembling the ornament on the stock of the gun. It stands on a framework of curved bars, now broken. The breeches are ornamented with vertical rows of circles. Although this figure holds a flint-lock gun, it is undoubtedly a native, as three tribal marks are shown above each eye. The face is also prognathic. The head-dress seems to be of a woven material.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXXII.

Figs. 237 and 238.--Armlet of ivory, ornamented with representations of human heads, birds and animals, carved on the surface, and also of degenerate elephants' heads, the proboscis, in each case, terminating in a human hand holding a palm branch; horses' heads; tortoises; leopards, &c.; all of the most conventionalized forms. Bands of crotals are carved at each end of the armlet. The armlet consists of two halves connected by a thin brass plate and copper rivets on one side and on the other by copper fastenings. The plate is ornamented by a floral guilloche pattern, similar to that on the central band of Fig. 140, on the wands, Figs. 209 and 211, and elsewhere. This pattern is figured by Messrs. Read and Dalton in the "Journ. Anthrop. Inst.," Vol. XXVII, Plate XXII. The carved figures represented on this ivory armlet are of much greater rudeness than those on the bronze objects generally. Much weathered and probably very old.

Fig. 239.--Quadrangular brass bell, with a degenerate face on one side; the eyes of the face are converted into loops.

Fig. 240.--Quadrangular brass bell. The loops on one side are evidently derived from the degenerate face on Fig. 239.

Fig. 241.--Brass bracelet, consisting of human heads linked together. One of the heads has projections ornamented with concentric circles.

Fig. 242.--Necklet of cylindrical coral beads, four of which are ornamented with straight line diaper pattern. One of the beads is ornamented with a guilloche pattern, with pellets inlaid with lead.

Fig. 243.--Brass bracelet, of peculiar form, ornamented with small circular punch-marks.

Fig. 244.--Brass bracelet, with clusters of rows of circular knobs or shells.

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.

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.

Fig. 255.--Bronze plaque, representing two figures, the right one having a broad leaf-shaped sword upheld in right hand, with a large ring extending from pommel; teeth necklace, but no coral choker; no bell on neck; cylindro-oval head-dress with feather on left side. Both figures hold the same spear, point downwards. Left figure with shield on left arm, quadrangular bell, and leopard's skin dress. Head-dress of the same form as the other, ornamented with cowrie shells. Skirts of both figures ornamented with human heads.

Fig. 256.--Carved wooden Jekri paddle, neighbourhood of Benin. Modern. Chain link shaft. Face on handle end. Pierced work blade.

Fig. 257.--Carved wooden Jekri paddle, neighbourhood of Benin. Modern. Chain link shaft. Full length human figure on handle end. Pierced work blade, with human figures, crocodiles, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXXIV.

Figs. 258 to 260.--Round execution block, with marks on the top for the thumbs and forehead of the victim; elaborately ornamented all over. On the projection on which the forehead is intended to rest is a double row of cowrie shells, bound round. A band of guilloche pattern, incised, runs round the circle, and the projections for the thumbs of the victim are ornamented with herring-bone pattern. On the sides of the block are three human figures in relief holding hands; shields, a leaf-shaped sword, and a trident points down. The shields are ornamented with straight line diaper pattern, and a band of the same runs round the top of the edge of the block. Two human arms and hands are on the side, and two boxes or stools are between the human figures. The bottom of the sides is ornamented with a band of guilloche pattern in relief. The figures are clothed with jackets and skirts. The whole is much worn, as if by constant use.

Fig. 261.--Ivory horn, mouth-piece on convex side. Ornamented with bands of broken guilloche pattern.

Figs. 262 and 263.--Bronze plaque. A figure holding a so-called key in right hand. Coral choker, badge of rank. Head-dress, probably of agate or coral. No cross on dress.

Fig. 264.--Bronze plaque, representing a figure standing holding in both hands a leaf-shaped sword of the kind shown in No. 130. The sword is narrower, and the swell of the blade nearer the point than in the majority of specimens. A round bell is attached to the left side. The hair appears to be dishevelled and partly plaited. Three tribal marks over eyes.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXXV.

Figs. 265 and 266.--Bronze grotesque mask, intended probably as a stand for the carved ivory tusks in the Ju-Ju houses. The eyeballs project like those of the head, No. 137. Three tribal marks over each eye, and four over the nose. The forehead is very projecting; the nose aquiline and very broad. Tags, apparently of coral, are on the sides. The ears are very large.

Fig. 267.--Brass bottle and chain, rudely cast.

Figs. 268 to 270.--Long oval wooden bowl carved out of the solid. On one side (Fig. 269) is a row of five human figures in relief; the central figure has his hands upheld by attendants, who hold in their other hands shields having barbed javelins, points upward behind them. The shields are ornamented with straight line diaper pattern. Another figure holds an object under the arm, perhaps a drum or a food vessel. At both ends there is a representation of a degenerate elephant's head, the proboscis terminating in a human hand holding a branch, similar to Figs. 72, 167, and 316. At one end is a rude representation of a degenerate mud-fish. The other side of the bowl (Fig. 268) is ornamented with a broad guilloche pattern and a square interlaced figure. The interior of the bowl is very rudely chiselled out, showing marks of the tool all over. The carving is very rough and much in the style of the execution block, Figs. 259 and 260, Plate XXXIV.

Fig. 271.--Small bronze bird, with something in the mouth; very rude.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXXVI.

Figs. 272 to 274.--Wooden comb, the handle carved as links of a chain, with a figure at top.

Fig. 275.--Small iron knife or bill-hook; the edge on the convex side; with brass handle terminating in a pommel representing a human hand.

Fig. 276.--Bronze ægis. Two interlaced mud-fish. This perhaps shows the origin of the oval hole sometimes found on some of the objects, see Fig. 141, Plate XXIII, and Fig. 158, Plate XXV. This ægis has a broad leaf-shaped sword incised on the back of it, as shown in the annexed woodcut. These engravings are peculiar, and seem to denote a badge or mark, perhaps of ownership of some kind. The ægis is edged with eyelets, probably for suspending crotals, similar to Fig. 112, Plate XIX, and Figs. 126 and 127, Plate XXI.