Thorn Carving Item Number: K2.113 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Figure representing a person praying. Figure is kneeling on its knees, which are lying flat on the ground extending backward. The arms are extended upward together at an angle, centre forward of the body. Clothes are of a lighter wood colour than the body. On a wood base.
History Of Use
Thorn carvings are miniatures depicting a variety of scenes from Nigerian life. The carvings first began to be made circa 1930. The thorns vary in size; they can be as large as 12.7 cm long and 9.6 cm wide. The thorn wood is comparatively soft and easy to carve; they are traditionally carved by men.
Narrative
Collected by Dougal MacGregor while he was a teacher at the University of Accra, 1970.
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 that was made from rice cooked with water.
Item History
- Made in Viame, Ghana
- Collected during 1970
- Owned by Dugal Macgregor and Sue Macgregor before April 1970
- Received from Dugal Macgregor (Donor) and Sue Macgregor (Donor) during April 1970
What
Who
- Culture
- Yoruba ?
- Previous Owner
- Dugal Macgregor and Sue Macgregor
- Received from
- Dugal Macgregor (Donor) and Sue Macgregor (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Viame, Ghana
When
- Collection Date
- during 1970
- Ownership Date
- before April 1970
- Acquisition Date
- during April 1970
Other
- Item Classes
- carvings & sculpture
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0166/0017