Kisii soapstone is one of the most well-known artforms from East Africa. A hand-carved piece of art from the Kisii region of Kenya is a real treasure. Soapstone is mined from the Tabaka Hills and then carved by talented artisans into many designs that are beautiful and some functional. As it is crafted, it goes through multiple stages of sanding and waxing which gives the soapstone a satiny finish. The piece is then painted and etched to form intricate designs. Product Features: * Measures: approximately 4.5 x 4.5 x 4 inches. * Due to the handmade nature, actual size of each piece will vary slightly. * Soapstone is a soft stone, making it easy to carve into many forms. Handle with care to avoid breakage. Because a variety of communities carve the statue, expect designs variations and color variation in the natural stone. Story Behind the Art: Each sculpture is artfully hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone, found only in the hills of southwestern Kenya. Mining the soapstone from surface hills is a labor-intensive process, using little to no machinery. Laborers work with shovels, picks, axes and machetes to carve out large soapstone chucks. The large pieces of stone are cut using pangas (large knives) and then brought to the workshop for carving and finishing. Each etching is intricately carved by hand. Fair Trade: * Socially responsible products that empower consumers to purchase according to their values and help alleviate global poverty. * Fair Trade is an alternative business model that values safe workplaces, fair wages and community investment.