Soapstone Carved Box, Blue Tribal Etching

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, speical 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.