These seals are made of soapstone!
It was included as one of the artisan miniatures in the August 2024 themed, “For the Love of Animals” monthly sandtray box. Sign up today to have sandtray miniatures delivered to your door each month.
The soapstone products come from Tabaka/Kenya, a town with about 10,000 inhabitants and about 25 km away from Kisii. Hence the term “Kisii soapstone”. Soapstone (steatite) is a soft natural stone. The raw material is mined on site in quarries. The carvers are independent artists who each specialize in one product area. Tools include impact chisels, knives, scrapers and sandpaper. The fine sanding, washing of the stone, waxing and polishing is then usually carried out by women from the family. The 100% handwork causes the differences in shape.
Length: 3 inches