Shona Offerings

Much of the stone used by Shona artists is quarried in areas which are adjacent or quite near the villages where the work is created.  Often the land on which the stone is found is owned by the village or the local artists. The artists use stone such as Serpentine (somewhat old, having been formed about 2.6 billion years ago), with more than 200 color variations. The hardest and darkest of the Serpentine varieties is black, commonly known as Springstone or Africa stone. Less seen is Lepidolite, with its beautiful pale mauve coloration; and the very hard Verdite, found mostly in darker shades of green but with other variations as well. 

The wonderful natural character of stone is used both in its rough cut and textured state, or heated and burnished to a high gloss to reveal rich greens, browns, blacks and grays. The hardness, shape, density and quantity used of serpentine, verdite, sandstone, granite, steatite and other stones define the ultimate presentation of completed art sculptures and carvings.

 
 

 

 

SPRINGSTONE: Is a very hard serpentine with iron content. It is finely textured with no cleavages. The hard and firmness of the rock offers good resistance to the sculptor. Springstone has a rich outer "blanket" reddish brown oxidized rock.
Dreamer | $875 * by Lazarus Takawira Springstone (21”h x 9”w x 7”d )
 

 

 

 

VERDITE (African Jade): Is a thing of beauty and a genuine investment. Verdite is the "Green Stone" of Africa. Over 3.5 million years old this semipreicious stone is a challenging medium for only the best carvers. Verdite occurs in a variety of changing patterns and shades, ranging from gold brown to rich emerald greens, and blues. Zimbabwe and South Africa have the only two deposits of Verdite in the world. It is projected that within ten years, the total deposit of Verdite will be depleted.
Daughter of the King | $750 * by Nicholas Tandi Verdite Stone (12”h x 6”w x 4”d)
 

 

 

 

SERPENTINE:Is the most abundant stone found in Southern region of Africa. More than 200 colors and combinations of Serpentine have been identified. The most common Serpentine is black, olive green and reddish brown. Serpentine is a term used for both rock and mineral, said to have formed 2.6 billion years ago, serpentine rock formations form a 300 mile backbone through the heart of Zimbabwe.
Mother-in-Law |$670 * by Nicholas Tandi  Fruit Serpentine (9”h x 6”w x 6”d)
* Shipping rates are determined upon distance from Washington, DC.  We will gladly provide you an estimate prior to your making a purchase commitment.  Send an email indicating your location and we will send you shipping rates for all of the available sculpture offerings.

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