Curio shopping is an integral part of any Southern African safari and beautifully carved Zimbabwean stone sculptures, in particular, are sought-after collector’s items worldwide.
Zimbabwe is the only African country with significant deposits of stone suitable for creating these eye-catching creations. Not only is the texture of the rock ideal for carving sculptures but colored veins of green, pink, purple, yellow and orange ore running close together create a unique beauty and interest in each piece. More than 250 varieties of ore have been identified in Zimbabwe.
Even the name of this country is derived from the Shona word ‘dzimbadzamabwe’ which means ‘house of stone’.
Since ancient times, the wealth of suitable stone found in Zimbabwe has been used for building and decorative purposes. Accomplished Shona stonemasons were crafting precise towers and enclosures from hand-hewn rock, without the use of mortar, at a time when Europe was only emerging from the Dark Ages. The Great Zimbabwe Ruins are an example of their workmanship.
Shona sculptors rely on their traditions and culture for inspiration as well as elements of the natural world and man’s relationship with it. Although some start with a particular subject in mind, the artists often they have no idea what they will be carving until the rock reveals its full potential to them.
In the words of renowned sculptor, Bernard Matemera, “A rock is like a fruit – like an orange or a banana. It needs to be opened to be eaten. I open the rocks. The fruit is inside.”
The raw stone is quarried from small rocky outcrops with pickaxes, hammers and crowbars before the artist sets to work. Then chasing hammers, chisels, rasps and sandpaper are used to create the desired masterpiece by hand - sculptures created using power tools are not considered authentic.
Once the artist is happy with their creation they set about polishing it to reveal the true brilliance of the stone. This is done by warming up the sculpture over a wood fire and then smearing it with a colorless wax. Once cooled the stone is buffed to the characteristic high shine using a cloth.
If you are interested in purchasing an original Shona sculpture, make sure you visit a reputable dealer to avoid disappointment – make sure you ask us for our recommendations in this regard.
