Thorn Carving Item Number: Af424 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Two figures representing people. One is standing, slightly bent with a cylindrical drum on a strap around the neck, and wearing a hat, a short-sleeved shirt, and knee-length trousers with small sticks in both hands. Other figure is standing on the head and forearms wearing knee-length trousers and legs bent forward from hips. Shirt, trousers, and drum head is light yellow-brown. Figures and body of drum are dark brown. Hat is light red-brown. The small sticks are light brown wood. The base is light brown wood stained 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
Af424
Type of Item
carving
Material
rice adhesive, wood, egun thorn, atum thorn, stain and fibre
Manufacturing Technique
carved and glued
Overall
height 9.4 cm, width 10.0 cm, depth 5.0 cm

Who

Culture
Yoruba
Creator
Ukini (Maker)
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
0590/0110