Thorn Carving Item Number: Af367 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Three figures representing people standing in front of a shrine. Middle figure is a bare-chested woman wearing a knee-length skirt and a cloth hat. On the ground in front of her, facing the shrine, there is a carved head, from which three horn-shaped vessels protrude. Other figures are bearded males wearing short pleated skirts, of which one has a cloth hat and is holding a vessel and a rattle. The vessel is attached to the skirt. Other figure is bareheaded and is holding a vessel attached to his skirt. On the shrine mound, there are seven vessel-like objects resting, one large double-faced mask with a protruding horn and two smaller single masks. One single mask has horn-shaped vessel on top of head with a hole behind. Two hats and five vessels are light yellow-brown. Two hats, the skirt, and four vessels are light red-brown. figures, rattles, seven vessels, double-faced mask, single mask, and head on the ground are dark brown. Thorn chips on mound are variegated. On a wood base.

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.

Cultural Context

craft; tourist art

Item History

What

Name
Thorn Carving
Identification Number
Af367
Type of Item
carving
Material
atum thorn, egun thorn, wood and rice adhesive
Manufacturing Technique
carved and glued
Overall
height 9.5 cm, width 10.5 cm, depth 10.0 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
0590/0053