Thorn Carving

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.

craft; tourist art

A figure representing a male sitting on a stool leaning forward with his legs thrust backwards. He is blowing a bellows at an open hearth. The figure is wearing a loose fitting short-sleeved shirt extending to his knees. Head, limbs, stool, and hearth are dark brown. The shirt is light yellow-brown. The fire grate is black. The base and bellows handles are are brown wood.