Thorn Carving

Item number Af359 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Description

Domestic scene including fifteen people, six of which are at a table, two are bearing pots on their heads, two are stirring food in a pot, one is tending a child, one is ladling food from a pot, and two are watching a cooking pot. There is a large empty pot in one corner. The figures at the table and two standing over a cooking pot are wearing shorts, one wearing a sleeveless shirt while the others are wearing short-sleeved shirts. One at the table is wearing a round hat while two at the cooking pot are wearing soft conical hats. All other figures, except the naked child, are wearing knee-length dresses. Two serving pots contain a hardened glue-like substance while the cooking pot and bowls on the table contain shavings. There is a large spoon in the cooking pot and a stirring stick in one serving pot. The cooking pot has a tripod support and two sticks under it. Table, benches, three serving pots, stirring sticks, and clothing other than hats are light yellow-brown. Human bodies, pots on heads, cooking pot, and seven bowls are dark brown. Hats, contents of cooking pots, small bowls, and cups are light red. Base is brown plywood.

History Of Use

Thorn carvings are miniatures depicting scenes from Nigerian life. This type of carving began circa 1930. Thorns vary in size. They can be as large as 12.7 cm. long and 9.6 cm. wide. They are comparatively soft and easily carved. The light yellow-brown thorn and the dark brown thorn come from the Ata tree; the light red-brown thorn comes from Egun trees. The parts are glued together with viscous paste made from rice cooked with water. They are carved by men.

Cultural Context

craft; tourist art

Iconographic Meaning

Verandah cooking scene; a fireplace and utensils used for preparing food are kept there; food would be prepared and eaten there by the family.

Item History

Made in Nigeria before 1972
Collected during 1972
Owned by Andrew Stewart and Jessie Stewart before February 8, 1980
Received from Andrew Stewart (Donor) and Jessie Stewart (Donor) on February 8, 1980