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Description

Scene of a ritual offering with three standing figures before a shrine, consisting of a carved bearded head and a dwarf-like figure. Two tall double cones of ant hills, in opposite corners, one of which is light yellow-brown while the other is dark brown. Central figure is holding a chicken offering, the figure on the right is holding a drum and a drum stick, and the figure on the left is holding one container in one hand and another container on the chest. The dwarf-like figure has bush cow horn on the head and two pipe-shaped containers on the back. Head rests on mound into which two containers are embedded. Two containers are also embedded in the head. Three figures are wearing sleeveless knee-length garments, two of which are in pants while one is in a dress. Male figure is wearing a conical hat, and centre female figure has hair upswept into a top knot. Second male has short hair. Base, including support for head, is covered with variegated shavings. "Kekere Osa of Oyo" is written on the bottom of base.

History Of Use

Thorn carvings are miniatures depicting scenes from Nigerian life. This type of carving began in the 1930s and grew to become popular folk art for the tourist market. The carving is done by men, using different sized thorns from the ata, egun and shagamu trees. Thorns can be as large as 12.7 cm long and 9.6 cm wide. They are comparatively soft and easily carved. The horns in the carving are used to hold oil offerings.

Cultural Context

craft; tourist art

Iconographic Meaning

The carving likely depicts a Muslim ceremony, with the head representing a deceased leader to whom offerings are being made. The woman offering a chicken is likely sacrificing it for appeasement.

Specific Techniques

The light yellow-brown thorn and the dark brown thorn used here come from the ata tree; the light red-brown thorn comes from egun trees. The figures are composed from thorns of differing hues, each carved separately before the pieces are glued together with viscous paste made from rice cooked with water.

Narrative

This carving was purchased from the artist, and was made specifically for the donors. The inscription on the base, "Kekere Osa of Oyo," translates roughly as the "lesser deity of Oyo".

Item History

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