What is African soapstone?
African soapstone, also known as Kisii soapstone, comes from Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. Soapstone is one of the softest known minerals, making it easy to carve. While it can be found all over the world, Kenyan soapstone is considered unique and naturally comes in all different colors.
Are soapstone sculptures expensive?
Soapstone carvings are generally not expensive and the quality of the carving and the size and colouring of the soapstone contribute to the determination of value. Colours of soapstone can vary and include off-white, red, green and brown.
What is soapstone worth?
How Does the Price of Soapstone Compare to Other Countertop Options?
| Granite | Between $35 to $75 per square foot |
|---|---|
| Soapstone | Between $55 to $100 per square foot |
| Limestone | Between $70 to $200 per square foot |
| Onyx | Between $75 to $250 per square foot |
| Gemstone | Start around $100 per square foot |
Where is soapstone found in Kenya?
Kisii in south western Kenya is where most of the world’s soapstone originates. A vibrant town of approximately 180,000 people located in the Nyanza region of the country.
How much are Inuit carvings worth?
Inuit carving would fetch a good price | The Star. This Inuit carving is worth between $4,000 and $6,000.
How do I sell my Inuit art?
Second, advertise your collection of Inuit sculptures on Kijiji and Craigslist. It won’t cost you anything and you’ll get a world wide exposure. Try to take good pictures, it may even worth going to a photographer and getting professional pictures done. Third, contact auction houses that sell Inuit art.
Where is black soapstone found?
Dark green and black soapstone are typically from Brazil and have a harder composition. Lighter green and grey soapstone are quarried in India and are much softer. Granite quarries can last hundreds of years and are huge, while soapstone quarries are relatively small and last usually not more than 6 years.
How do you clean soapstone carvings?
Cleaning Your Soapstone Mix just a few drops of mild detergent with water in a small dish. Dip the soft cloth in the mixture and rub it over the surface of your carving. Rinse the cloth out so it is free from detergent, and clean off the entire statue to get rid of residue. Let your carving air dry.
Can soapstone get wet?
Moisture clings only to the surface of soapstone and is unable to force its way inside, even under pressure. Soapstone is structurally dense. If moisture gets inside natural stone, it weakens the strength properties of almost all types of stone. If a stone gets wet unevenly, it can bend.
Where is soapstone found?
Soapstone is found in the Appalachian range from Maine to Georgia with significant deposits in Vermont and Virginia. Finland and Brazil are the largest international producers of soapstone.
Where can you find soapstone carving in Africa?
A particular type of African carving that is particularly alluring are handmade soapstone carvings from Kenya. While soapstone has been used for years as a carving material, it is the Kisii stone that is most desirable. The stone is named after the Kisii people of the Tabaka Hills in western Kenya—the only place it is found in the region.
What kind of stone is used in African art?
A frican art sculpture portraying animals and people in both realistic and abstract form. The pieces are all one of a kind, carved using different types of stone such as serpentine, verdite, springstone, African butter jade and rapoko, an African term for soapstone used by indigenous carvers throughout the world.
What can soapstone be used for in art?
The soapstone is used to create both functional items and works of art. It’s used to carve: While carvings traditionally feature animal figures such as elephants, rhinos and other African wildlife, carvers today also create contemporary abstract figures, bookends, candle holders, and many other figurines.
Where did the Kisii get their soapstone from?
While soapstone has been used for years as a carving material, it is the Kisii stone that is most desirable. The stone is named after the Kisii people of the Tabaka Hills in western Kenya—the only place it is found in the region. The soapstone is a metamorphic rock that consists of the mineral talc.