Thorn Carving Item Number: Af419 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Two figures representing people. One is sitting on a cylindrically based chair with a back and is wearing a pointed cap, knee-length pants, and a short-sleeved shirt. The second figure is bareheaded, standing, and wearing similar clothing. He is holding a cylindrical container to the face of the sitting figure. Between the figures, there is a circular table with six containers. Clothing and four containers are light yellow-brown. Heads, limbs, chair, and table are dark brown. Three containers are light red-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 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.

Cultural Context

craft; tourist art

Item History

What

Name
Thorn Carving
Identification Number
Af419
Type of Item
carving
Material
atum thorn, rice adhesive, stain, wood and egun thorn
Manufacturing Technique
carved and glued
Overall
height 9.8 cm, width 8.5 cm, depth 5.5 cm

Who

Culture
Yoruba
Creator
Ukini (Maker)
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
0590/0105