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Location: Kisii Soapstone Bowl, Fish Design
Product Information
Brand new to our range!
This vibrant blue Kisii soapstone bowl with a fish design makes a lovely small ornament for the home and are part of a collectable range. (See below)
Kisii is the region where most of the world's supply of soapstone originates. Naturally occuring soapstone is a relatively soft stone, a calcium carbonate. Over many generations the people of Kisii have learned to carve beautiful artefacts from the stone. Some are hand painted while others are left natural.
First the soapstone is mined by hand in the local, open mines. No machinery is used to mine and as a result, it can be a dangerous job, particularly in the rainy season. The stone is removed using hand held picks and the rocks are cut into smaller sizes using a saw.
Then, using a hammer and a chisel, the soapstone is carved. A knife is sometimes used in addition or at different stages of the carving to get the rough outline required. The stone is then placed in water. Sandpaper is used to smooth the chiselled stone. This is a long process and different sandpaper is used until the stone is completely smooth and there are no chisel marks left. The women often do the sanding.
The stone is painted, often using a sponge to mix colours. Once the paint has dried the designs are hand etched into the stone using a knife and a very steady hand as no outline is drawn, revealing the white soapostone underneath.
This soapstone bowl has been handmade in Kisii, Kenya. Most people in Kisii live a subsistence lifestyle, so the income from soapstone handicrafts is vital to their existence.
Dimensions - diameter 10.5 cm x height 2.5 cm approx.
Producer Information
Zuri Design is a UK based importer which has set up and works closely with a number of projects in Kenya.
For instance, one project is called Xcel Concepts and specialises in cow bone bead making. It was started in 2005 and has recently moved into a new premises in Kibera slum, on the outskirts of Nairobi. The aim of the project now is for it to become self sustainable. It has plans to be co-owned by 4 of the orginal young street boys who were trained on project start-up programmes and who have remained comitted to their work. They are now producing top quality beads that are used by a number of other producer groups including our beautiful animal themed range of jewellery.
This project involves bringing change to the cow bone jewellery industry in Kibera slum, Nairobi. This craft industry has been around since the late 70’s and employs over 500 people in Nairobi. These workers are almost always underpaid and work with dangerous machinery and in dirty and unsafe workshops.
Most of these workshops are based in the slums, including the workshop this project helped to start. The work is highly skilled, yet the workers of this industry are often exploited, with middle men taking advantage of the fact many buyers are too scared to visit workshops in the slum. The idea of this project is to set up and run an example workshop so that others locally can see the benefits of adhering to Fair Trade principles.
A second project is Luckysama Women`s Group, named after the area in Nairobi where the ladies live. The 7 employees here work from home, buying cow bone beads from the project above and finishing them off into the stylish jewellery items you can see in our range.
Our Kisii Soapstone range is produced by Art Safi Self Help Group, based in Kisii and Nairobi, Kenya, who are paid between 25% and 50% above the local market wholesale price in Kenya. Additionally, the workers are paid 50% of order value upfront and the balance is paid on time. This helps members of the self help group which include carvers, artists and those who sand, wax and pack the items support their families better.
