A 12" (305mm) tall sculpture in this style and stone signed by the sculptor sells for more than $250 in USA, EU, and Asian art galleries. We are able to offer them at moderate prices by contracting directly with the sculptor at fair trade prices. A notarized certificate of authenticity, origin, and appraised value is available for a small additional charge and recommended for insurance purposes. Type 'yes' in box next to Cert. origin/value $20.00 if you want certification.

The artists’ call the pieces “Creations” as the spirits of the Shona peoples' ancestors come to them in their dreams to reveal the images that dwell within the rock. This creation is culturally called “Motherly Love” symbolizing the love and trust that bonds children with their mater. By carving the sculpture with gender-neutral figures, it may be used to symbolize the bond between any parental figure (male or female) and children. "Mother" culturally is used in its broadest sense and refers to any female, relative or non-relative, caregiver. The caregiver's age spans all generations from very young older children or siblings through great-grandmothers. African women do all the heavy lifting in addition to raising and caring their own children and many others in the local community who have lost theirs to the AIDs pandemic or one of the many other maladies that plague the poor. "Mother" may be any Take a close look at this soapstone gem that the locals call ‘Jasper’. The sculptor expresses the security, love, and trust between parent and child by carving a subtle warm loving parent-child hug with subtle smiles of comfort and their cheeks gently touching.

Obert, an acute observer of the goodness, warmth, security, love, and trust in a caring child-parent figure relationship, expresses his observations by carving the figures with subtle smiles of comfort and gently touching cheeks . He emphasizes the bond by polishing the figures within an al natural raw chisel-tool marked unfinished stone frame. The polished stone brings out its natural beauty represents all that is good whilst the rawness of the frame reminds us of the difficulties of life in Zimbabwe. His painstaking attention to detail is appreciated and admired by many critics.

The stone medium is a weathered steatite (soapstone) locally called "Red Jasper". Being one of the sofest stones to sculpt, sculptures are produced with difficulty. Only the most skilled sculptors succeed creating a great demand by collectors for pieces in the beautiful deep reddish brown polished finish.

Being hand carved from raw soapstone, no two sculptures, however similar, by the same sculptor are identical. Photographs are generic the actual sculpture you will receive will be a similar size and style signed by the same sculptor, we will make sure you are satisfied with your purchase. Expanded description of the generic picture.

If the item quantity is two ( 2) or more and you'd like to personally select your beautiful sculpture, write your email address in the box Let me select. At least two and no more than five different photographs will be sent to you for your consideration. The additional $5 charge is to cover our administration costs.

These sculptures are very popular, if the quantity states backordered, instead of a number, it is unfortunately sold out. A similar abstract sculpture can be ordered (click on the backordered link for details) from Obert or one of his collaborators and takes between eight to 14 weeks. If backorder not wanted, remove the item/s from the shopping cart or at checkout.

Our care and repair guide for these and other Shona stone sculptures.

E-mail a friend about this item or if you have a question about it e-mail us with SKU# as subject.

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