Soapstone is also is also known as Kisii stone because it comes from the Kisii highlands in the western part of Kenya near Lake Victoria. The main crops are tea and coffee but the Gusii tribesmen also create soapstone carvings. The main sources of the stone are found in Tabaka where large pieces are quarried out of the hills and then cut into smaller blocks for carving. First the shape is roughed out and then a knife is used to achieve the finished design which is then wet sanded and polished. The entire process is done with hand tools and no machinery is ever used. The colors vary from cream to lavender to almost black. The carvings are often dyed and then incised with a traditional image. These plates are for decorative dry display only and should not be used for the serving of food.
E-Mail: info@justafrica.com
Just Africa Gallery
P. O. Box 75
Hyannis, MA 02601-0075
(508) 775-0448
(c) Just Africa Gallery, 1997-2002