DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXII.

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Fig. 128.—Armlet entirely of brass, without other metal. Ornamented with four upright figures and four horizontal heads. The upright figures have their forearms elevated. The legs are very attenuated and the skirt of the dress very pronounced. Eyebrows extremely prominent, and the head-dress of peculiar form and conical. The armlet is surmounted by raised bands, which pass over the figures, and are separated by pierced work. Broad rims are shown at top and bottom, and are edged with herring-bone pattern.

Fig. 129.—Bronze plaque, representing human figure with beard, riding to right; a ranseur of the sixteenth or seventeenth century in right hand, point downwards. Hair combed out straight. No tribal marks. Bodice fastened with buttons. Pleated kilt like Figs. 235 and 236, Plate XXXI, and Fig. 247, Plate XXXII. Twisted or plaited bridle of some limp substance in left hand. Bell and crotals on horse’s neck. Leopards in relief behind figure of horse. Ground ornamented with trefoil leaves and punch-marks. This figure does not appear to be negro. The horse appears to be galloping, which is not the usual Benin method of locomotion.

Fig. 130.—Bronze plaque, representing two warriors with long, narrow, leaf-shaped swords upheld in right hands. Peculiar head-dress, a broad band on the frontal. Hair parted in the middle and hanging down behind. One figure has a beard. Both have objects resembling bows slung upon left arm. Leopards’ teeth necklaces and quadrangular bells hanging from necks. Ground ornamented with leaf-shaped foil ornaments incised.

Fig. 131.—Bronze plaque, representing five figures; central figure holding a staff of unusual form in right hand; coral choker; oval head-dress; small bells attached to straps hanging down from girdle; anklets and armlets, the former adorned with crotals; left hand on handle of sword in scabbard on left side. Small figures on each side with javelins, the points in a sheath. The larger attendants on each side holding shields over the central figure, as described by De Bry in the seventeenth century. All the attendants have a bag on right side, strapped over shoulder. One of the smaller attendants has a broad leaf-shaped sword upheld in right hand, holding it by the ring attached to the pommel.

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