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Hand Crafted African Collectibles

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KENYAN Kisii Stone

Using a limited number of tools, the carvers mine the soapstone in large blocks, then pare off smaller chunks for carving. Using a small knife called a kisu, the carvers utilize as much of the stone as possible, using scraps to create miniature animals and colorful hearts.

Once the Kisii stone carver create the raw forms, the items are transported to Nairobi, where a loose collective of artisans color the forms with natural dyes and etch the final details. The painted designs are inspired by the flora and fauna of East Africa, as well as textiles, tribal icons and even current events.

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Contents at a Glance

Africa
Kenya
KENYAN Bone Art
The Crabby Nook
Safari Animals are popular in Home/Offic...
Recommended reading...

Africa is home to a wealth of cultures and artisan traditions. It has also been hit hard by the effects of poverty, having 31 of the world's 34 poorest countries, with over 313 million people living on less than $1 a day. Artisan and farmers throughout Africa are using their skills to try to earn a living and combat the conditions of poverty that are part of their reality. Community organizations throughout the continent are creating alternatives to deal with the effects of war, overwhelming debt and poverty, and HIV/AIDS, all of which have taken a toll on communities. Through their efforts, they are working to bring about their vision of a vibrant Africa.

Kenya

* Population: 34.3 million (UN, 2007)
* Capital: Nairobi
* Area: 582,646 sq. km. (224,961 sq. miles)
* Major languages: Swahili, English
* Major religion: Christianity
* Life expectancy: 48 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN)
* Main exports: Tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum products
* Monetary Unit:Kenyan Shilling
* GNI per capita: US $540 (World Bank, 2006)
* Internet domain: .ke
* International dialing code: +254

courtesy of BBC News at bbcnews.com

KENYAN Bone Art

For centuries, natural substances served purposes that are now reserved for sterile synthetic materials. Clay, soil, wood, seeds, leaf fiber, stones, skins, hair and bones were all elements of one's environment that could be employed for function and adornment. Today, the necessity of using natural materials is gone, but the appeal of goods handmade from organic substances remains. Kenyan bone artists use batik dying method to convert discarded domesticated cow bones into striking decorative and daily use items. By creating works of beauty for export to the world market from what many modern cultures would perceive as waste material. Kenyan artisans to use elements of their heritage to progress in a rapidly changing world.

Artisans in Kenya collect the raw material from local butcheries and create beautiful things from a material that would otherwise be discarded.

The Crabby Nook

Gifts and Collectibles from Asia & Africa

Upscale exotic Decor for the Home & Office for the global traveler.

Safari Animals are popular in Home/Office Decorating

Safari animals make a great decorating accent in any room or office. Safari Animals will blend with most styles of home decor themes, so it is likely adding one to your decor will be a perfect choice. They make wonderful gifts too!

All of our Safari Animals are handcrafted by artisans from wood, stone, leather, or bone. We do not sell resin or made from a mold animals.

Elephants

Hippos

Rhinos

Giraffes

Lions

Tigers

Cheetahs

Zebras

Check our Safari Animals!

Great Stuff on Amazon

African Safari on YouTube

What is your favorite African Safari Animal?

Have you ever wanted to go on an African Safari? What animals are you most interested in seeing? How do you display your love of Safari Animals?

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cffutah Oct 6, 2011 @ 9:23 am | delete

girafe I'd say. Glad I browsed upon your lens this morning before starting work. If you like to browse lens as I do, mine has a great educational topic with poll questions for my readers to enjoy.

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Zimbabwe

Geography
Area: 390,580 sq. km. (150,760 sq. mi.), slightly larger than Montana.
Cities: Capital--Harare (pronounced Ha-RAR-e), pop. 1.5 million. Other towns--Bulawayo, Chitungwiza, Mutare, Gweru, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Marondera.
Terrain: Desert and savanna.
Climate: Mostly subtropical.

Shona Art in Zimbabwe

Shona sculpture is widely accepted as the most important art movement to emerge from Africa in the twentieth century. It is very popular in the United States and Continental Europe, but it is less well known in the UK. General awareness of the art form in the UK was increased substantially by a high profile exhibition in 2000 at Kew Gardens in London, organized by Chapungu, featuring major works by many of the big names.

Collectors include Prince Charles, who opened the first major exhibition in the UK at the Barbican centre in the 1980s, and Michael Jackson!

All Shona Art pieces are one-of-a-kind pieces because each one is hand carved by various artists. The artists lets the stone guide him/her what should be carved and how the carving should flow. The artist also believes their sculptures already have an owner it belongs to and the sculpture will find its way to its owner.

African Art is, above all else, a personal experience. No other art gets as close to us, becoming in many cases, a "one-on-one" relationship that you'll enjoy for many years to come.