SMOLArt African Soapstone
SMOLArt is a group of artisans based in the rural village of Tabaka, Kenya. This is the center of Kenya's soapstone carving region. The organization was established in 1990 and are members of the World Fair Trade Organization. The artisans receive a fair wage for their work and the project provides community development support through projects that improve living conditions, education, and health of their members.
Soapstone is mined from great pits in the area surrounding Kiisi, Kenya. The mined soapstone is then delivered to carvers who carve sculptures from the natural stone for the wholesale market, the color of which ranges from cream, to pink, to brown, to yellow, to black, to a marbling of all of them. Once carved, the craftspeople smooth rough edges of the soapstone with sandpaper dipped in water and polish the piece to a high gloss or paint African motifs in brilliant colors with etched accents.
All of the soapstone products we sell are completely handmade. The tools consist of household items from screwdrivers, hand drills, to switchblades. "Pangas," sword-like tools usually used for cutting down vegetation, are used to cleave the stone in the mines.
Black Soapstone Lover's Knot - 10-Inch
$30.00
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, this sculpture is an abstract artwork celebrating the loving bond between two souls. Known as "the wedding sculpture" in...
Black Soapstone Lover's Knot - 6-Inch
$16.00
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, this sculpture is an abstract artwork celebrating the loving bond between two souls. Known as "the wedding sculpture" in...
Blackbird Soapstone Sculpture
$12.00
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, this bird carving is sleek and modern. Measures approximately 2.5 inches (small) or 4.5 inches (large) in length by...
Circle of Friends Soapstone Sculpture
$18.50
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, the legend of the Circle of Friends has a long history. It is said that when you give the...
Hand Carved Soapstone Animal Chess Set
$99.99
Crafted by African artisans in Western Kenya using traditional techniques, this soapstone chess set will become a conversation piece during play or on display! The board is 14 - 15...
Hand Carved Soapstone Maasai Chess Set
$99.99
Crafted by African artisans in Western Kenya using traditional techniques, this soapstone chess set will become a conversation piece during play or on display! The board is 14 - 15...
Handcrafted Blue Soapstone Hippo -African Art
$22.95
Hand carved from soapstone in Kenya, this hippo is 3 inches tall, by 4 inches long, by 2 inches wide, and is hand painted with a blue abstract design. Please...
Natural Soapstone Family Sculpture - 2 Parents & 1 Child
$28.00
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, the outstretched arms of parents and children hold onto one another in love and connectivity. These beautiful soapstone sculptures...
Natural Soapstone Family Sculpture - 2 Parents & 2 Children
$28.00
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, the outstretched arms of parents and children hold onto one another in love and connectivity. These beautiful soapstone sculptures...
Natural Soapstone Family Sculpture - 2 Parents & 3 Children
$28.00
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, the outstretched arms of parents and children hold onto one another in love and connectivity. These beautiful soapstone sculptures...
Natural Soapstone Lover's Embrace Sculpture - 10-Inch
$27.00
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, this contemporary sculpture features a representation of two lovers in a circle, each with one arm soaring overhead while...
Natural Soapstone Lover's Embrace Sculpture - 6-Inch
$14.00
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, this contemporary sculpture features a representation of two lovers in a circle, each with one arm soaring overhead while...
Natural Soapstone Lover's Embrace Sculpture - 8-Inch
$22.00
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, this contemporary sculpture features a representation of two lovers in a circle, each with one arm soaring overhead while...
Natural Soapstone Lover's Knot - 6-Inch
$16.00
Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, this sculpture is an abstract artwork celebrating the loving bond between two souls. Known as "the wedding sculpture" in...
Natural Soapstone Nativity Set
$42.00
This unique, gorgeous Fair Trade Natural Soapstone Nativity from Kenya is carved from ethically-obtained soapstone. The largest piece in this nativity set is about 8 inches tall and the set includes 12 pieces....
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