A FINE BENIN BRONZE PLAQUE, of rectangular form, cast in high relief with a warrior chief, standing full length with the left hand holding a shield, the right a lance (broken), wearing an elaborate battle dressof embroidered cotton surcoat incorporating a leopard mask above a fringe of tassels with small bronze bells, egheghan nexere, short-sleeved shirt engraved with trelliswork, wrap-over skirt with raised edge, high beaded collar, leopard tooth necklace, akekpe, quadrangular bell, erero,and plain hemispherical helmet with three pendent braids, each with oval bead weight end, a fish each side below and a crocodile head each side above, all on a stippled bakground with engraved quatrefoils and other leaf motifs, ebe ame, the side flanges with engraved strapwork, portions of the border missing, extensive traces of a golden wash,circa 1600