SHONA STONE SCULPTURES - Shona is a more recent addition to Zimbabwe's cultural arts. Although it has no functional or ceremonial value, it has transcended into a truly international art form. It isn't simply considered great African art but great art in the broadest sense.
Today's sculpture has been evolving over the past thirty years or so, a product of welding African themes and ideas with European artistic training.Although the movement is known as Shona sculpture, smaller tribal groups have started participating as well.
The history of the Shona People is lost in time. Their Bantu ancestors are credited with building "Great Zimbabwe" a six hundred-year old ruin of enormous scope.
SERPENTINE- is a term used for both a rock and a mineral. It is formed in and from a rock, Dunite, and is rich in the mineral Olivine. Under high temperatures and pressure, both the Dunite and the Olivine change to a greasy feeling Serpentine.
VERDITE- Rare and beautiful,verdite occurs in a variety of changing colors and shades ranging from golden brown to rich emerald green and blues. In the knowledge that verdite is found only in Southern Africa and noting that Zimbabwean verdite is one of uniquely high quality, international artists, collectors and investors have sough it . Because there is only one known deposit in Zimbabwe and no other deposit of comparable quality anywhere else in the world, verdite has the double attraction of beauty and intrinsic value, Because of its quickly diminishing sources, time can only enhance its value as a thing of beauty and genuine investment.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Shona Sculptures I recommend reading on the web both "THE MYTH OF SHONA SCULPTURE" By Carole Pearce and "SHONA SCULPTURES STRUGGLE FOR AUTHENTICITY AND VALUE" By Jonathan Zilberg.
A Bowl shaped sculpture showing family of 3 Hippos wading in water. Signed and made of Dark brown soapstone. See story above on SHONA. Item HIPPO-04. Free Shipping!
A very nice 12" wide agate in bands of white and black. Pictures show both front and back of specimen and also in transmitted light. Specimen is from Brazil. Item AGATE-0051
