Thorn Carving Item Number: Af365 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Palm tree on round platform covered with wood chips. Figure representing a man is holding a rope over his right shoulder while bending down to a ritual mask at a shrine. Mask holds four horns and a small vessel. Second mask leaning against the mound of wood chips has two horns and a vessel on top. Man is wearing knee-length trousers, a short-sleeved shirt, and a round hat. Palm tree, masks, platform, rope, four horns, head, arms, and legs are dark brown. Pants, trousers, and larger vessels are light yellow-brown. Hat, three horns, small vessel, and top of palm tree are light red-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.

Narrative

Represents a ritual scene of a mask by a palm tree.

Cultural Context

craft; tourist art

Item History

What

Name
Thorn Carving
Identification Number
Af365
Type of Item
carving
Material
egun thorn, wood, stain, rice adhesive and atum thorn
Manufacturing Technique
carved and glued
Overall
height 18.7 cm, diameter 9.9 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
good
Accession Number
0590/0051