Thorn Carving Item Number: Af360 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

A small carving of a dug-out canoe containing seven pairs of passengers and two single paddlers one of which is at the bow while the other is at the stern. The cargo includes containers, a pestle, and other objects of various shapes distributed throughout the canoe. Four passengers are wearing short-sleeved dresses. Ten passengers are wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts. The paddlers are wearing sleeveless shirts and shorts. A variety of hats are being worn by the passengers while brimmed hats are being worn by the paddlers. Six objects are light yellow-brown. Heads, limbs, seven objects, and one container are dark brown. The canoe, pestle, and two paddles are light yellow-brown.

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

Item History

What

Name
Thorn Carving
Identification Number
Af360
Type of Item
carving
Material
atum thorn, rice adhesive, wood and egun thorn
Manufacturing Technique
carved and glued
Overall
height 8.0 cm, width 53.5 cm, depth 7.0 cm

Who

Culture
Yoruba
Previous Owner
Andrew Stewart and Jessie Stewart
Received from
Andrew Stewart (Donor) and Jessie Stewart (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Nigeria

When

Creation Date
before 1972
Collection Date
during 1972
Ownership Date
before February 8, 1980
Acquisition Date
on February 8, 1980

Other

Item Classes
carvings & sculpture
Condition
fair
Accession Number
0590/0046