Soapstone Carved Box, Brown Mudcloth Giraffes

Hand-carved from Kisii soapstone by African artisans, each box is uniquely handmade. The craftsmanship is superb. The base is carved from a single piece of stone, as is the top.  Each piece is hand-painted and then etched with elegant tribal designs.  Perfect for storing small items, special pieces, jewelry, and more.  Makes a great, ethical gift.

Product Features:

• Each measures approximately 4 x 3 x 1.5 inches.
• Soapstone is a soft stone, making it ideal for carving into many forms. Use care when handling to avoid breakage. 
• Each piece has gone through multiple stages of sanding and waxing, giving the soapstone a satiny finish.
• 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 for factory employees.

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 works with shovels, picks, axes and machetes to carve out large soapstone chucks, which are then carved into beautiful art.