This superb hand carved sculpture of a mother and her child made of Rapoko was carved by artists of the Shona tribe, living in the Mutoko Hills near Harare in Zimbabwe. Hand polished to perfection the stones’ deep brown color is revealed, which is prized by collectors.

The detail in this rapoko piece is truly astounding, considering the lack of modern tools in the rural lands of the Shona people in southern Africa.

Commonly referred to as Rapoko stone in Zimbabwe, Steatite is a naturally soft stone that goes under the basic class of soapstone.  It has remarkable qualities that make it one of the most widely used minerals in the world. Rapoko is prized for its durability and has been since ancient times. Workability, beautiful character, ability to retain and radiate heat, and resist chemicals are characteristics of rapoko. Native cultures all over the Shona Kingdom have carved Rapoko into vessels, art objects, memorial and cultural items.
Shona art is world renouned, since the artform reached the west in the early 70’s. Shona folk have been carving such masterpieces for hundreds of years, but went undiscovered for most of this time. Buy with confidence, as we import only the finest pieces hand selected by our buyers for over 40 years. This piece will add a touch of Africa to any home, bringing beauty to your space, and complimenting any décor style.

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