Thorn Carving Item Number: Af373 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Two figures representing people cutting a tree. One male figure is wearing a sleeveless shirt and knee-length trousers. The other male figure is wearing a short-sleeved knee-length garment. Both are wearing soft pointed hats and holding machetes in their right hands to cut the tree in between them. They are standing on a base of scattered shavings. Heads, limbs, tree, and shavings are dark brown. Garments are light yellow-brown. Hats are light red-brown. Machetes and the base are light brown wood.

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 men's activities.

Cultural Context

craft; tourist art

Item History

What

Name
Thorn Carving
Identification Number
Af373
Type of Item
carving
Material
rice adhesive, fibre, paper, wood, egun thorn and atum thorn
Manufacturing Technique
carved and glued
Overall
height 10.5 cm, width 9.5 cm, depth 4.5 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
0590/0059