Thorn Carving Item Number: Af344 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Figure representing a man sitting on a cylindrical stool tapering upward. Wearing a round hat and using sticks to play a carved, conical drum (membranophone). Light yellow-brown shirt, pants, hat, sticks, and head of drum. Dark brown arms, legs, face, stool, and body of drum. The base is light brown wood stained brown on the bottom.

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