Hippopotamus Sculpture Zimbabwe Shona Butter Jade Stone 4½" long #35

Description: Zimbabwe Shona Hippo 2" tall 4" long Butter Jade is not actually a Jade, but is another of those stones not unlike Amber in that it is known to contain evidence of the first life on earth in the form of micro fossils- Stromatolites of Blue Green Algae. These fossils predate dinosaurs by 2500 million years and signify the development of life as we know it. I As the name suggests, Butter jade is a yellow, creamy shade and is lined with darker strata throughout. However, it is not nearly as soft as butter- being quite a hard, durable stone, 6 - 7 on the harness scale. Despite the name, it is not a true Jade but carries the name due to similarities in finish and hardness. Butter jade is common to Southern Africa but is rarely found elsewhere- the stone was formed 50 million years ago, and was given its characteristic darker streaks and lines due to layers of fossilized algae as the rock was forming. t is a great stone for carving and making cabochons for jewelry. Other names for Butter Jade is Butterstone and African Jade. It is supposed to bring good luck and is also good for helping accept one's life path as well as being excellent for self-realization and acceptance. It promotes clear thinking and aids in decision making. I bought this personally from Carver in 2003 Hand carved Shona sculpture from Zimbabwe. Shona sculpture is widely accepted as one of the most important art movements to emerge from Africa in the twentieth century Shona sculpture is world renowned among discerning art collectors. Isolated from the West by geography and politics, the Shona looked within for inspiration within their own land, within their own spiritual legacy. The word Shona is the name of an ethnic group in the small Southern African country of Zimbabwe. People of the Shona share the same language have similar cultural roots and traditions. It is out of this culture, the mythology, folklore, rituals and beliefs in ancestral spirits and tradition that the expression of the stone art is derived. Shona sculpture embodies, and is shaped by the physical and spiritual world of the artist. Most Shona sculptors believe that the spirit of the sculpture is in the stone and they are the channels through which that spirit whispers and is released. The sculptors are self-taught and often dont use modern machinery or artistic techniques to realize their masterpieces.

Price: 33 USD

Location: Orlando, Florida

End Time: 2024-12-28T01:29:22.000Z

Shipping Cost: 8.9 USD