Thorn Carving Item Number: Af405 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Figure representing a female sitting on a cylindrical stool, holding a small cup and a naked baby. She is wearing a knee-length dress. She has a bowl between her feet. The figures are dark brown; the dress, stool, cup, and bowl are light brown. The base appears to be wood.
History Of Use
Thorn carvings are miniatures depicting scenes from Nigerian life. This type of carving began circa 1930. Thorns are carved by men and 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.
Cultural Context
craft; tourist art
Specific Techniques
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.
Narrative
This thorn carving was made specifically for the donors by the artist.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents women's activity; washing a baby.
Item History
- Made in Nigeria before 1972
- Collected during 1972
- Owned by Andrew Stewart and Jessie Stewart before February 8, 1980
- Received from Andrew Stewart (Donor) and Jessie Stewart (Donor) on February 8, 1980
What
- Name
- Thorn Carving
- Identification Number
- Af405
- Type of Item
- carving
- Material
- rice adhesive, paper, egun thorn, atum thorn and fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved and glued
- Overall
- height 7.8 cm, width 6.8 cm, depth 4.3 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
- 0590/0091