Mother and Child in Arms African Art Stone Sculpture 28 cm by Zimbabwe Artists with Storycard
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Mother and Child in Arms African Art Stone Sculpture 28 cm by Zimbabwe Artists with Storycard

Product details
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This is a handcrafted item created from a single piece of stone
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Made by artisans of the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa
Description
An African stone sculpture created by the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
11 inches / 28 cm tall.
Includes Storycard.
Created by the renowned African artists of the Shona tribe, this is a unique, beautiful Shona sculpture radiating peace and togetherness, created in Serpentine Stone. Very impressive grey serpentine abstract sculpture by world renown Shona sculptors.
Each item is unique & may differ slightly form the photo.
How this item was made
🪨 Shona
Stone Carving: Zimbabwe’s Living Art Form
The Shona people of Zimbabwe are world-renowned for their expressive stone
sculptures—an art movement that blends ancestral tradition with modern
creativity. Each piece is hand-carved from native stone and often reflects
themes of family, spirituality, and nature.
⛏️ 1.
Sourcing the Stone
- Sculptors
mine serpentine, springstone, opal stone, and other local varieties
from open-cast pits. - Stones
are chosen for their color, texture, and hardness, often based on
the artist’s vision.
✏️ 2.
Sketching and Roughing Out
- Artists
sketch the design directly onto the stone using charcoal. - Using chisels,
hammers, and punch tools, they strip away excess rock to reveal the
basic form.
🪚 3.
Refining the Shape
- The
sculpture is shaped with files, rasps, and grinders—or just hand
tools when electricity isn’t available.
Fine details are added gradually, often
inspired by dreams, family stories, or spiritual beliefs
🧽 4. Sanding
and Smoothing
- Wet
sanding with progressively finer sandpaper brings out the stone’s
natural luster. - This
step is labor-intensive and may be shared among apprentices or family
members.
🔥 5.
Polishing with Wax
- The
sculpture is heated over fire or with a blowtorch to open the
stone’s pores. - Layers
of clear wax are applied and buffed as the stone cools, creating a
rich, glossy finish.
Shona carving isn’t just technique—it’s
storytelling in stone. Artists like Dominic Benhura and Colleen Madamombe have
elevated the form to global acclaim.
How to care for your item
Caution – stone is fragile. It can be damaged if not handled
with care.
The stone is 100% natural so it will last generations if
handled with care.
The wax coating can be affected by UV rays from the sun …
should a piece become dull looking or get a scratch, you can let it warm in the
sun and apply a clear ‘carnauba wax’ or clear shoe polish. After applying, let
cool and buff with clean, soft terry cloth to renew the polished finish.