Beautiful Natural Hand Carved Kisii Soapstone originally from Kenya. A very aesthetic lot of four adorably carved hippos. These little figurines are so adorable, they will definitely become a conversation piece in your home.
The largest one measures 6.00 inches in length by 3.00 inches wide The smallest little one measures 4.00x 1.50 Some background on this beautiful stone:
The stone is named after the Kisii people of the Tabaka Hills in western Kenya—the only place it is found in the region.
The soapstone is a metamorphic rock that consists of the mineral talc. Also commonly referred to as steatite, it is known for being soft and easy to work with. While the stone was primarily used for domestic purposes such as basketry and pottery, it is now used to create handmade carvings for export. The Kisii people originally used soapstone to carve pots to carry fat, which was later massaged into the skin for protection against the sun and other elements.
For many families, these soapstone carvings are their primary source of income as they sell their work in malls, galleries, markets and shops across Kenya. It occurs in a number of beautiful natural colours ranging from a light cream to black as well as yellows, red, lavender and grey. The color is dependent on the minerals present in the soapstone.