Pelee-Soapstone Hippo 3 Inch
Pelee-Soapstone Hippo 3 Inch
Pelee is a soapstone hippo hand carved and painted in Kenya. He is approximately 3″ long, 1.5″ tall and 1.25″ wide. He would make a lovely single specimen accent piece, a fantastic paper weight for the “pile” method of desk organization, or add more and have a whole selection of African animals for your party centerpiece.
- Description
Product Description
Pelee is a soapstone hippopotamus hand carved and painted in Kenya. He is approximately 3″ long, 1.5″ tall and 1.25″ wide. He would make a lovely single specimen accent piece, a fantastic paper weight for the “pile” method of desk organization, or add more and have a whole group of African animals for your party centerpiece.
Soapstone is quarried in Tabaka Kenya which is near Kisii. Chipped from the quarry by hand it is hauled in a wheel barrow and sold to carvers. The carvers learn the art as it is passed on from father to son. It is not uncommon to see a young boy sitting under a tree with a years old pile of stone chippings working diligently on his first carving.
The carvers will often carve a rough figure, plate or sculpture and sell them in their raw rough form to finishers all over the country. At the market you may see the artists soaking, sanding, painting or finishing the rough pieces.
Soapstone is a soft porous stone. finishers will soak the pieces in water and use a small pen knife, and sandpaper to smooth an almost finished piece. When smooth and dry the piece can be stained and etched with a small adapted nail file or left in its natural stone. The final step is to polish it with a clear floor wax and buff to a high shine.
Soapstone colors may fade in the sunlight. It can be washed with a damp cloth and polished with a soft cloth. If needed another coat of wax can be apply to bring out the high shine.
Use a bit of caution as though it is stone, it is also fragile and can crack and break.
Pelee is purchased from soapstone finisher Victor. He lives in Western Kenya and is an artist for Aina Moja, which is a project of the non profit organization, Expanding Opportunities. www.expandingopportunities.org
- What We Do
Our Products
Aina Moja is Kiswahili for "one of a kind". Each item is uniquely hand-made by African artists and therefore, one of a kind. Due to the fact that each item is handmade, actual item may vary slightly from product image.
Aina Moja products are sold at art and craft fairs throughout the summer and fall as well as in the Aina Moja shop in Belfast, Maine.
Aina Moja is a member of Fair Trade Gifts and is part of the Artisan Support project of Expanding Opportunities, a 501(3)c organization.
Our Money
Our items are purchased directly from artisans in Kenya, Africa and not at tourist stations. The purchase of the items supports individuals and families in Kenya.
Proceeds from sales of the items at Aina Moja help support the projects of Expanding Opportunities, including the Street Children Fund, STEMS, Camp Forest, Friends Across the Ocean, Books for Kenya, and Distance Learning Centers. Expanding Opportunities has the greater mission of increasing self-sufficiency through educational and charitable projects for people nationally and internationally.
Aina Moja offers you an opportunity to donate for a child or give to Expanding Opportunities. Add a donation to your order for yourself or give a donation as a gift.
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