Hand Carved Great Zimbabwe Bird Soapstone and 10 similar items

Hand Carved Great Zimbabwe Bird Soapstone Sculpture by Shona Artisan TAKESURE Measures 3 1/2" wide, 1" deep and 4 3/4" tall. This is a hand-carved soapstone sculpture of the iconic Great Zimbabwe Bird, signed on the base by the local Zimbabwean Shona artisan named Takesure. The Zimbabwe Bird is the sacred national emblem of Zimbabwe, representing a protective spirit (specifically inspired by the bateleur eagle, or chapungu in Shona). The carving mimics the famous 11th to 15th century stone monuments found at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Great Zimbabwe. It features a stylized bird perched on a decorated rectangular pedestal, etched with traditional chevron and geometric patterns. These pieces were purchased originally from the late Aunt of one of my clients. She was the Director of the Peace Corps in Nepal and worked throughout Africa from the 1940s to the 1980s.