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

Standing figure representing a woman holding her arms above her head. There is a head ring and a broken pot at her feet. She is wearing a wrap-around skirt. Her head, limbs, and torso, and the pot are dark brown. The skirt and the head ring are are light yellow-brown. The base is light brown wood.