Thorn Carving Item Number: Af430 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Figure representing a woman standing bent over with her left arm outstretched and limbs bare. She is wearing a complex cap, a sleeveless dress, and a baby on her back in a cloth sling which is encircling her waist. She is striking a small naked child on the left shoulder with a handled stick, which is held in her right hand. Child, baby's head, and woman's limbs are dark brown. The cap, clothing, base, and handled stick are light yellow-brown. On a wood base.

History Of Use

Thorn carvings are miniatures depicting scenes from Nigerian life. This type of carving began circa 1930. Thorns are carved by men and 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.

Cultural Context

craft; tourist art

Specific Techniques

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.

Narrative

This thorn carving was made specifically for the donors by the artist.

Item History

What

Name
Thorn Carving
Identification Number
Af430
Type of Item
carving
Material
rice adhesive, wood, egun thorn and atum thorn
Manufacturing Technique
carved and glued
Overall
height 11.4 cm, width 7.8 cm, depth 5.5 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
fair
Accession Number
0590/0116