The history of the Shona The Shona people are from a range of different ethnic groups across Zimbabwe that share similar languages. They are descendants of people who have lived in the region of Zimbabwe for around 2000 years. The Shona tribe is the largest indigenous group of Zimbabwe, representing over 80% of the population and numbering approximately nine million. In the Shona language, ‘Zimbabwe' means ‘Great Stone House' or ‘House built of stone'.
The Shona are known internationally for their stone sculptures. Their stone carvings date back to to the time of the great Zimbabwe which began in the 11th century by the Shona peoples' Bantu-speaking ancestores.
It is impossible to describe Shona Sculptures and do them justice. The surface is so smooth it feels like silk beneath your fingertips. The colour of the stone is breathtaking, the finished gloss so shiny it appears as if each piece glows from within. Each sculpture is unique and will bring a sense of peace and beauty to your home. Our Shona sculptors work with hard black Springstone, richly coloured Serpentine and Opal, along with Cobalt, Leopard rock and semi precious Verdite/ Lepiodolite sourced from within Zimbabwe.
Buy your Shona sculpture online and enjoy it in your home as soon as next week. All prices are inclusive of G.S.T.
Many more sculptures are available on request
The Stone used for Shona Sculptures in Africa
Opalstone
Physical Properties: Opalstone is famous for it's milky light coloured greens and smooth texture. It is also unique in that it has fewer colour variations than serpentine. It is also known as opalite to the locals and is mined at Chiweshe, two hours north of Harare . This stone is one of the favourites of carvers, as it's not as hard as springstone and other serpentines, but still polishes to a high finish. Opalstone also has, at times, a brown colour throughout the predominate green. The appearance can be smooth or mottled. As with most of the stones mined for the purpose of sculpting, opalstone is mined without the use of power tools.On the mohs hardness scale, opalstone rates between 5.0-5.5. opalstone is also found in Australia and Mexico.
Spiritual Properties: Opalstone is a stone of inspiration which enhances imagination and creativity. It helps one release inhibitions and enhances memory. Opalstone is also a very spiritual stone, and can help one be "invisible" in situations where one doesn't care to be noticed. Opalstone brings happy dreams. It also eases the process of change. Physically, Opalstone is helpful for eyesight and Parkinson's disease.
|
Leopard Stone
Physical Properties: Leopard stone (not to be confused with leopard skin stone from the jasper family) is a variant of the quartz family and typically has a striking pattern of dark and light green mottling. On the mohs hardness scale leopard stone varies between 6.5 and 7.0
Spiritual Properties: Leopard stone is a hard yellow/green Serpentine characterized by black blotches. It is a stone of shamanic journeying. It also aids in service to others. It helps discover and connect with one's animal totems or "power" animals. It makes it easier for one to take responsibility properly. Helps with creative visualization. This is a protective stone, and it is particularly protective during shamanic journeying. Physically it helps eliminate toxins and decreases body odor, and is very helpful in self-healing. It has properties of protecting the third chakra.
Serpentine /Black Serpentine/Fruit Serpentine
Physical Properties: Serpentine is the next hardest stone with a rating of 4.0-5.0 on mohs hardness scale. Black iron serpentine derives it's name from the deposits of iron found in it and is one of the hardest and darkest stones found in Zimbabwe . It has the most amazing black lusterless finish that resembles the black opal and is highly sought after because of it's fine finish, durability and hardness.
Spiritual Properties: Also known as New Jade is a beneficial and versatile stone. It will help with emotional cleansing, psychic powers, and attract love and money. Serpentine sometimes contains Magnetite which dispels grief, fear, and anger. It is also used in the rise of the kundalini, facilitating this rise by opening a path that lessens discomfort. In addition, serpentine is a protective stone. It is especially protective against snakebite, poison, and venom. Serpentine is an excellent stone for meditation. Physically serpentine eliminates parasite infections and removes venom and other poisons. Soapstone
Physical Properties: Soapstone is a natural soft stone and is sometimes referred to as Rapoko stone in Zimbabwe depending on it's colours. It's remarkable qualities have made soapstone one of the most widely used art minerals on earth. In Zimbabwe , one of the many places where high quality soapstone is found is the Mashava mine. Mashava is in the Masvingo district, 5 hours south of Harare . As with all the stones used for sculpturing, except the semi-precious verdite, soapstone is mined with crow bars, picks and shovels only. Although somewhat soft, soapstone is a very dense stone and is denser than marble, slate, limestone and even granite. If anything is spilled on the stone, it will remain on the surface of the stone, and not penetrate the surface. Soapstone is found on every continent in the world and has been used by native people all over the world for thousands of years. Items have been found in igloos as far north as the artic, the tombs of pharaohs, palaces of China and India , mountains and valleys of the arid plains of Africa . It's mineral composition is 40-50% talc, 40-50% magnesite and 5-8% penninite.
Spiritual Properties: Also known as “Steatite” is a stone that helps to “widen ones horizons” and assist in times of change. It allows us to be ready for new situations & challenges and also be open to these new ways. Very calming and bring peace to ones center of being. Allows one to release old routines and create new loving environments. Physically it can be used in the treatment of fat digestion. Stimulates the Liver and gall bladder function.
Springstone
Physical Properties: Springstone is one of the hardest stones used for sculpturing in Zimbabwe . There are a few mines where this stone is found, but Guruve, in the north, is where Springstone is mined. A beautiful dark stone, it polishes to a high shine because of it's density. A feature of this stone, is often, it will have a softer brown layer, which adds to the appeal. As with most other stones that are mined for the purpose of sculpturing, this stone is mined by hand on communal lands. |
Verdite /Golden Verdite
Physical Properties: Verdite has a unique emerald looking quality with brown and green striations and is known as "green gold" because it is a semi-precious stone that is unfortunately becoming rare and therefore increasingly more valuable. It is a hard stone and only the more experienced sculptor will dare to sculpt it. on the mohs hardness scale verdite rates between 7.0-9.0.
Spiritual Properties: This is a stone that stimulates the energy centers/charkas and is another name for Serpentine. It can assist the movement of Kundalini. Often, Verdite is used to access and assimilate ancient knowledge. Emotionally, Verdite brings consistency, stability, and fortitude. Physically Verdite is used for cleansing the blood, removing toxins, and genital disorders. | |
|
