Thorn Carving Item Number: Af393 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Two figures representing people tying up vines. One figure is wearing a sleeveless shirt and knee-length trousers. Second figure is wearing a short-sleeved shirt and knee-length trousers. Both are wearing soft pointed hats. The figures are wrapping the vines around three stakes on mounds which are covered by variegated thorn shavings along the base. Rope, heads, and limbs are dark brown. Hats are light red-brown. Clothing and stakes are light yellow-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.

Narrative

Tying yam vines (collector's notes).

Cultural Context

craft; tourist art