Thorn Carving Item Number: Af425 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Two standing figures representing people facing each other. One is holding a conical drum and is wearing an elbow-length-sleeved shirt, knee-length pants, and a small conical hat. The other figure is wearing a short skirt over knee-length pants and is bare chested with arms bent upwards at elbows. Clothing and drum head are light yellow-brown. Bodies, limbs of figures, and body of drum are dark brown. Hat is light red-brown. Base is light brown wood stained 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

Depicts a dancer and a drummer.

Cultural Context

craft; tourist art

Item History

What

Name
Thorn Carving
Identification Number
Af425
Type of Item
carving
Material
egun thorn, stain, wood, rice adhesive and atum thorn
Manufacturing Technique
carved and glued
Overall
height 10.2 cm, width 9.7 cm, depth 5.0 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
0590/0111