Thorn Carving Item Number: Af431 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Two standing figures representing people. The front figure has a round object and a ball on the head, a pole in the left hand leading a bent figure wearing a brimmed hat, and is holding an upright staff in the right hand. Heads and limbs are dark brown. Shirt, trousers, and hat are light yellow-brown. Ball is light red-brown. Sticks and base are light brown wood.
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.
Depicts a man leading a blind person.
craft; tourist art