These two wooden elephant figures were carved by artisans of the Kamba cultures of Kenya, Africa. Traditionally, Kamba woodworkers created simple, functional objects such as hand-carved large wooden spoons, stools, and stoppers for medicine horns. In the early 20th century, however, a Kamba man named Mutesya waMunge served in the military during World War I; he was stationed in … [Read more...] about Kamba Elephant Sculptures Researched, Conserved, and Reconstructed by Jenna Fallert
Traditionally, the African cultures known as the Kisii have long mined soapstone from the Tabaka Hills in southwest Kenya to make powdered soapstone for use in healing, divining, and initiation rituals. Starting in the 20th century, Kisii men began to mine this soft metamorphic rock in order to supply workshops where the soapstone is carved into small sculptures and household … [Read more...] about Hand-Carved Kisii Soapstone Objects: Researched and Conserved by Christina Elkinton