OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — KENYA 36. BEIGE KISII STONE NATIVITY
This Nativity set carved from kisii stone features the Holy Family, three wise men, a shepherd, three animals, and an angel. The standing figures are approximately 5.5 to 6 inches tall.
A large deposit of a uniquely colored hardened mineral steatite (pyrolite or volcanic ash), commonly called Kisii stone or soft soapstone, is found near the small village of Tabaka in the Kisii District of western Kenya. Kisii craftsmen have carved soapstone into all sorts of shapes and designs, like pipes and utensils, for many years. The stone varies in color from rose to white with many variations between. The colors in this Nativity are all the natural color of the stone itself. These amazing sculptures are each handcrafted without the use of commercial machinery. The men in the village do the carving and the women do the polishing.
A large deposit of a uniquely colored hardened mineral steatite (pyrolite or volcanic ash), commonly called Kisii stone or soft soapstone, is found near the small village of Tabaka in the Kisii District of western Kenya. Kisii craftsmen have carved soapstone into all sorts of shapes and designs, like pipes and utensils, for many years. The stone varies in color from rose to white with many variations between. The colors in this Nativity are all the natural color of the stone itself. These amazing sculptures are each handcrafted without the use of commercial machinery. The men in the village do the carving and the women do the polishing.