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Description
Dimensions: H:18.1" W:13.4" L:5.5" Weight: 64.2 lbs.
Shona Tribe Dolomite Stone Bathing Lady
Shona sculptor handcrafted this bathing lady sculpture from locally sourced dolomite stone. Shona sculpture is a distinct form of art that owes its existence to millennia of African history and cultural beliefs. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted by craftsmen and has gone from Africa around the world to add a distinctive touch to any house or business.
About the Tribe
The Shona ethnic group is indigenous to Southern Africa, primarily Zimbabwe, but there are significant Shona populations in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique. In Zimbabwe, the Shona people make up most of the population. Stone sculpture and mbira music have made them famous around the world (mbira: an instrument made of a hollow gourd with metal reeds that the player plucks). This tribe is believed to be responsible for the construction of several ancient stone wall sites in Zimbabwe. Great Zimbabwe, an 800-hectare city that flourished between the 11th and 15th centuries AD, was built on the physical foundation of these walls. Great Zimbabwe, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site was a center for trade, and archaeologists have discovered artifacts on site from as far away as China.
About the Stone
Dolomite stone has a fine marble-like appearance and is somewhat tougher and more weather resistant than limestone or marble. Dolomite is a common stone with big, translucent to transparent crystals that is mined in many places and is not limited to Shona sculpture. It is a sedimentary rock made up mostly of calcium, magnesium, and carbonate. It is usually pink or pinkish white in color, although it can also be white, grey, brown, or even black depending on the presence of iron and manganese minerals in the crystal. It is a popular choice because of its ease of carving and availability. The clear white crystals help to give a glossy, brilliant shine when polished. Dolomite deposits can be found across Zimbabwe. Because of the ease of working with dolomite and the comparatively inexpensive cost due to its availability, Shona artists who use it generally create larger pieces. In the right lighting, the crystals inside its structure can provide depth and even glitter to a piece.
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