Stones used for making Shona Sculptures
When you see a Black Serpentine sculpture it's easy to see why it's the stone of choice for most of our carvers. You will marvel at the stones exquisite polish, remarkable intensity and colourful swirls, as well as be amazed by the rich artistic detail that the stone allows. The stone is part of the Serpentine family of stones and is in abundance throughout Zimbabwe. The best quality Black Serpentine stones are found in the Eastern Highlands district of Mutare and the rural areas of Mashava in southern Zimbabwe.
Along with Black Serpentine, Opal stone is a favourite amongst carvers - not only is it easier to carve than most Serpentines, it manages to retain an incredibly polished finish. The stone also projects a dazzling array of colours, from milky greens and browns to red, orange and blue speckles. The stone is mined at the home lands of Chiweshe, two hours north of Harare. As with most of the stones used for sculpting, Opal stone is extracted by hand.
Fruit Serpentine remains one of the most sought after stones by artists and collectors alike - not only are people drawn to its amazingly smooth finish, but also appreciate its resilience and lifelong reliability. Our Fruit Serpentine stone is found outside of the small town of Kwekwe. Due to the remote location of the site, the miners sometimes need to be a little inventive when it comes to transport - this includes striking a deal with a passing truck on the main road from Bulawayo to get the stones back to Harare.
Lemon Opal stone is both beautiful and hard-hearted - when polished, it has an incredibly clear, almost see through quality, but remains one of the hardest and sturdiest stones used by our carvers. The stone is mined in the rural lands of Chiweshe, along the same vein of rock as its cousin, the more common Green Opal stone.
Cobalt is an extraordinarily hard and resilient stone with a deep red and grey lustre. Whilst being one of the more demanding stones to carve, the depth of colour on the finished products are simply stunning. The home lands of Chiweshe provide the highest quality of Cobalt in Zimbabwe, with the hardest and most colourful Cobalt found in the area of Mudindhu, north of Harare. Colour depth varies considerably depending on mineral deposits of the raw sites.
Leopard Rock shares many qualities with its namesake. Not only does it have an amazing finish of yellow and black like the big cat, it is also a rare and extraordinary thing to ever see in person. Leopard Rock deposits are currently found in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe near the border of Mozambique. Purchases in the raw form for sculptors can sometimes be costly due to the stones' scarcity.
Springstone is a tremendously dark and striking stone that polishes to the highest shine of all our stones. The stone is very hard with a remarkably fine texture, offering incredible resistance and reliability. This stone is plentiful throughout Zimbabwe - the Guruve communal lands in the north of the country provide the source for our Springstone.
Like to find out more about the stones used to create Shona Stone Sculptures? We are in partnership with Stone of Shona, specialists in Zimbabwean Shona Stone Sculptures. For more information on the sculptures displayed on this website including prices and delivery, please contact www.stoneofshona.com.au.
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