Butter Jade Stone Tribal Shona Man and Shona Woman Sculpture Bust Pair

Butter Jade Stone Tribal Shona Man and Shona Woman Sculpture Bust Pair

These Butter Jade stone tribal busts stand at approximately 16cm tall and originate from Zimbabwe. A true reflection of a tribal Shona Man and Shona Woman, with exquisite attention to detail. This pair is a beautiful addition to your home and a true statement piece.  

Butter Jade has a creamy yellow green colour with darker striations throughout giving the stone a marbled look. The striations found in this attractive sedimentary rock are actually layers containing fossilized algae. Estimated to be around 50 million years old and between 6 and 7 on Moh’s hardness scale.

Zimbabwe is renowned for its rich tradition of stone and wood sculptures and in particular, is home to some of the world's finest stone carvers. Mining for raw stone and the harvesting of wood in Zimbabwe is not an automated process. Mining is primarily done by hand, in rural communities by artisanal miners throughout Zimbabwe in small open cast pits on steep mountain sides. Carvers prioritize sustainable practices, sourcing wood from dead trees to minimize environmental impact. Both forms of sculpture serve not only as artistic expressions, but also as cultural artefacts. These small-scale operations are a very valuable source of income to rural communities and are too small to cause any damage on the environment in which the raw materials is harvested. 

Sculptures and Carvings Cleaning Care: Dust using a microfiber cloth. Stone can be washed and dried in warm soapy water. To restore the on wooden carvings and protect the wood apply and buff a thin layer of furniture polish or beeswax.