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

Figure representing a man (part a) on a wooden base. He is bent slightly forward, wearing knee-length pants. A round single membrane gourd (?) drum hangs suspended from his left shoulder by a cord. In his right hand, he is holding a curved drumstick (part b). His left hand is touching the outside of the drum near its head. Limbs, drumstick, and drum body are dark brown. Pants and drum head are light yellow-brown.