Thorn Carving Item Number: Af377 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Two standing figures representing people facing each other across a pump. One man is bareheaded, wearing a loose short-sleeved shirt and knee-length trousers with his right hand on the pump spout. The second figure is wearing a one piece short-sleeved garment and a wide brimmed hat with the right hand on the pump handle and the left hand on the shaft of the pump. A bucket stands at each end of the base of the pump, one under the spout, and one under the handle. All clothing is light yellow-brown. The heads and limbs are dark brown. Pump handle, spout, and pails are light red-brown. Base is 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
Af377
Type of Item
carving
Material
wood, rice adhesive, egun thorn and atum thorn
Manufacturing Technique
carved and glued
Overall
height 9.8 cm, width 10.0 cm, depth 5.4 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
0590/0063