Benin Warriors

[Tim Simmons]

This is a close up of a salt that is in the British Museum. The figures are clearly Portuguese and carry European weapons. The link to the other salt, the figures are also Portuguese. It is interesting to see a soldier his wife and dog in the decorative elements. These are also often seen in European art of the time and earlier. Many church brasses often portray the same images- knight/soldier, wife and a dog at there feet or else where in the picture. As these salts are understood to have been made for Europeans, it is fascinating how these European conventions have been followed in an age at the dawn of printing in the western world except for wood cuts. This just goes to show the sophistication of the artists and must hint at an intimate relation with the Portuguese elite.

Now just for fun are the origins of the kaskara and tabouka, from the east or the west?