Thorn Carving

About this object

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

Physical description

Figure representing a person sitting on a cylindrical stool, wearing a soft pointed hat, and a sleeveless tunic with knee-length trousers. The figure is sitting in front of a distaff with cotton wrapped around it in a spiral fashion, and supported by a conical-shaped vase. The figure is holding a spindle with a strand of cotton rotating from the distaff. The base, spindle, stool, and clothing are light yellow-brown wood. Head, limbs, and distaff are dark brown. Hat is light red-brown.