Thorn Carving
Item number Af386 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
Figure representing a bearded man sitting on a cylindrical stool. He is bare-chested, wearing a soft pointed hat and knee-length pants. He is holding a gourd-shaped container in his left hand and a cone-shaped cup in his right. In front of him, there are two bulbous-shaped containers with necks. Behind him, there is a tree trunk. Pants are light yellow-brown. Head, limbs, tree trunk, and stool are dark brown. Containers are light red-brown. The base is light brown wood.
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
Iconographic Meaning
The beard indicates the man is an elder. The containers and cup in the carving would contain palm wine.
Narrative
This thorn carving was made specifically for the donors by the artist.
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.
Item History
- Made in Nigeria before 1972
- Collected during 1972
- Owned by Andrew Stewart and Jessie Stewart before February 8, 1980
- Received from Andrew Stewart (Donor) and Jessie Stewart (Donor) on February 8, 1980
What
- Name
- Thorn Carving
- Identification Number
- Af386
- Type of Item
- carving
- Material
- atum thorn, egun thorn, rice adhesive and wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved and glued
- Overall
- height 8.5 cm, width 8.4 cm, depth 4.4 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Nigeria
Who
- Culture
- Yoruba
- Previous Owner
- Andrew Stewart and Jessie Stewart
- Received from
- Andrew Stewart (Donor) and Jessie Stewart (Donor)
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
- 0590/0072
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