Thorn Carving

Thorn carvings are miniatures depicting scenes from Nigerian life. This type of carving began circa 1930. Thorns are carved by men and 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.

This thorn carving was made specifically for the donors by the artist.

craft; tourist art

Represents women's activity; washing a baby.

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.

Figure representing a female sitting on a cylindrical stool, holding a small cup and a naked baby. She is wearing a knee-length dress. She has a bowl between her feet. The figures are dark brown; the dress, stool, cup, and bowl are light brown. The base appears to be wood.