Let's Talk About Pottery & Collectables
Collectables => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: keith on March 03, 2010, 02:07:28 PM
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......African,but any idea where in Africa?
Keith.
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Hi -- looks like a polished stone to me....or out in Left Field???
(....and Looks like me in the morning...lol)
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I wonder if it could be soapstone?
http://www.craftzoo.com/
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too hard for soapstone,got some on a Chinese cupboard,have found the carving is a 'Shona' woman,Zimbabwe,S.Africa region,if not serpentine maybe verdite,Keith.
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I have long admired Zimbabwe stone carvings especially as I was born there but still don't have any as yet. Over the years some of the artists have gained worldwide recognition.
"Shona" is the name of the tribal family who traditionally inhabited central and Eastern Zimbabwe and parts of neighbouring countries and forms the majority of the population today. The old (english) name for the region was Mashonaland as most indigenous languages of this region use prefixes to denote "land of" and "people of". The use of the word Shona to denote this art is curious, possibly political but uncontentious under the current Zanu-PF administration.
I was under the impression that it all started with a farmer near Nyanga setting up a workshop on his farm for local carvers. However on googling now the history seems to be longer, more complex and more interesting than I had first thought.
It seems that key to bringing Zim sculpture to world attention was Frank McEwen, first director of the (then) Rhodes National Gallery, now the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, back in the 60's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_McEwen
So I guess it didn't start with the farmer but I do remember reading an article about him some years ago (hmmm could have been 20 or 30 years ago) So I would imagine that the basics of the that story are true especially as Nyanga is in an upland area not far from Mount Nyangani, Zimbabwe's highest peak and a source of local stone I believe.
Soapstone has been used a lot for tourist pieces. My mum bought some pieces back on her return trips there. But also a variety of other types stone for more serious / expensive works too. Serpentine is shown as one of the types of stone used here
http://www.zimsculpt.com/stones.html
Unfortunately your flash has bleached out the dark base tone of your item. Does it have a greenish tinge ?
Pete
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Thanks for the info' Pete,had a look on the web some pieces are very expensive so I was lucky to grab this for just a few pounds,the stone colour is just like this image and a very similar piece,Keith.
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That's fabulous ! Where did you find this photo ?
Did it not say what kind of stone it is there ?
Apparently Serpentine comes in more than 200 colour variations !!!
Where did you find you piece ?
I'd really like to find one I can afford.
Pete
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Good question,googling about I 'lifted' it from somewhere;don't remember what, if it said ,the stone was,found mine in a charity shop,lucky find I suppose,if ever I see another I'll keep it for you,Keith.
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Arggghhh Keith! you can't go nicking images off Google and then post them onto the boards, you'll get us into bother! 8:)
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oops,sorry,should have known better,please delete image,
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Done, ta Keith. :)
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Whew....almost a :pol: minute there. Anne has not had to use THAT SMILEY for a long time.....lol.
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:sign_sorry: :sign_stupid:
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Don't worry - Be happy. That OK....now you know.:)
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Keith, don't worry, we all forget sometimes! :kissy:
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Yeah, done it myself, posted some images from Millers collectables onto the GMB, naughty. :ao:
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Been there myself too......
...And they say you can't teach an :old: :dog: New Tricks...lol. Don't worry...Be happy! ;D :kissy: