Thorn Carving Item Number: Af375 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Figure representing a man cutting a tree with a machete-like long bladed knife in his right hand. He is wearing knee-length trousers, a short-sleeved shirt, and soft pointed hat. Tree, arms, legs, and head of man are dark brown. Clothes and knife are light yellow-brown. Variegated shavings at base of tree. Base of carving is light brown wood.
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.
Represents men's activities, cutting wood.
craft; tourist art