Thorn Carving Item Number: Af426 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
A figure representing a person tying vines to two poles on two mounds. The figure is wearing a light yellow-brown short-sleeved tunic and pants. His limbs, head, and soft draped hat are dark brown. On a wood base.
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.
craft; tourist art