Puntogf Antiques.

Carved Soapstone

STONE ART QUALITY

So you have found a piece of carved African stone art that really appeals to you. Of course this is a major part of the appreciating the artwork, but what about the quality?

If you like the piece, perhaps there is no debate about the stone quality. But this may depend on your investment, because the better the quality then the better the value – and your investment. A general guideline is the stone hardness.

SOFT STONES

Soft stones, such as Soapstone (MOHs 1-3), are easy to carve and can produce superb art. However, the ability to resist marks and “bruising” is usually poor, so your artwork can suffer with time. Some very soft stones will deteriorate in air, in other words air will “rot” the stone and cause it to crumble. Sadness is the result because this class of soft stone is extremely difficult (often impossible) to repair or refinish.

HARD STONES

Hard stones, such as Springstone (MOHs 7-8) produce lasting art. It resists marking, scratches, and is easy to keep clean. Polished pieces are easy to touch up. If you have Verdite (MOHs 7-9) then you have incredible colours (the best is green Verdite) as well as hardness. While hard stones last a lifetime (and much longer), any stone can be damaged by accident. However, a hard stone can be repaired and refurbished such that the damage vanishes (this is a task that can require expertise for perfection).

FLAWS

Another attribute to look for are “hidden” flaws (all stones may have flaws). Here the stone may have been damaged during carving then repaired by the artist. A dark line through the stone may be natural, or it can be a repaired crack – this is difficult to identify which you are looking at, and often requires a master to inspect the stone and tell you what you are seeing.

Natural lines can be inclusions of Corundum or other minerals. These are not flaws, and often enhance the artwork, adding interest and colours.

HARDNESS, QUALITY, FINISH AND PRIDE

We devote a great deal of attention to the stone, the hardness and the finish, as well as the appeal of the artwork itself. Selecting the best quality is a challenging task, because our focus is on the investment value of the complete piece.

In conclusion, the pride of the artist is key. This will show in the workmanship, material, quality, and finish. And your satisfaction.

DID YOU KNOW?

KIMBERLITE forms the diamond bearing pipes of rock, such as the Kimberly Hole in South Africa. In the late 1800’s the Kimberly miners stopped working the pipe when they found the rock became too hard for hand tools. Mines were sold and became consolidated. One buyer had a large piece of Kimberlite in his home, and a year or two later it fell and cracked – and the buyer realised that the rock softened in air. Of course he became wealthy.

About the Author

Batanai Artworks is a Gallery of exceptional African art from Southern Africa. We provide the highest quality stone sculpture crafted by master sculptors - artwork with investment value.

Soapstone box, 'Amazon Forest' $29.95 Carved from soapstone, this delightful box is the work of Claudinho. He evokes Brazil's Amazon rainforest with hand painted motifs on the diminutive chest.

Soapstone box, 'Tropical Garden' $34.95 Carved from soapstone, this delightful box is the work of Claudinho. He evokes a luxuriant tropical garden with hand painted motifs on the petite chest.

Soapstone box, 'Atlantic Forest' $29.95 Carved from soapstone, this delightful box is the work of Claudinho. He evokes Brazil's luxuriant Atlantic Forest with hand painted motifs on the diminutive chest.

Hand-Carved African Soapstone Candlesticks (Kenya) $25.99 Light up your table in African soapstone style. This solid African soapstone from Western Kenya is hand-carved, painted, and etched into an elegant candlestick. Product Features: Candles not included Colors: Espresso, with maroon undertones Materials: Hand carved soapstoneDimensions: 8 inches high x 3 inches long x 3 inches wideStory Behind the Art:Your purchase directly empowers these artists to work their way out of poverty through the mission of the Lutheran Church in Kenya. Please support their impressive work.What is Worldstock?The handcrafted touch of artisan skill creates variations in color, size and design. If buying two of the same item, slight differences should be expected. Note: Color discrepancies may occur between this product and your computer screen.Imported

Soapstone candleholder, 'Orissa Rose' $39.95 A blushing flower welcomes nature's blessing in this admirable candleholder. Designed by Sibanand and Shweta, the holder is finely carved by hand from pink? Soapstone and is designed for standard t-lights. Sibanand and Shweta work with Orissa soapstone, which has a naturally grainy texture that makes the carving process more challenging, yet making each piece unique. Each coaster features an anti-scratch coating. Clear molten wax gently to avoid scratching. If needed, soapstone products can be wiped with a mild detergent.

Soapstone jar, 'Elephant Luxuries' $89.95 Walking through florid forests, an elephant guards the secrets of India's jali artistry. Gulam Rasool performs the legendary openwork with refined elegance and detailed artistry for this hand-carved soapstone jar.

Soapstone jars, 'Nautilus' (pair) $34.03 The regular coils of the nautilus shell find expression in hand-carved jars. A master at traditional jali or openwork carving, Gulam Rasool presents this beautiful pair of soapstone jars.

Soapstone centerpiece, 'Bluebells' (large) $59.95 Carved from natural soapstone, this covered centerpiece is the work of Ganesh Sharma. Bluebells bloom around the lid, and a flower crowns the knob. Sharma paints the motifs by hand in the detailed style of India's traditional miniature paintings.

Hand-carved Soapstone 8-inch Chess Set (India) $29.49 Enjoy the game of kings on a whole new level with Worldstock's carved soapstone 8-in. chess set. Each piece in this eye-catching set is handcrafted in India using age-old techniques. The top of the velvet-lined box is also made from soapstone. Free your inner chess master or indulge a friend's hobby--order yours today. The Story Behind the Product 35 year old Fahim Khan has been shaping stone into exquisite design since he was a 12 years old. His father was a government employee, so Khan had to learn the craft from other craftsmen. In Agra, where Khan lives, the primary crafts are leatherworking and stone working. Khan choose to work on stone and now makes soapstone chess-sets as well as many other decorative and utilitarian items, including candle-holders, Taj Mahal replicas and more. He says it takes over 15 days to carve a full set of chess pieces and ready the board. The final product sells for over 1300 rupees in the market. Ansari supports his large family; including his parents, his wife, and four sons. Each Worldstock product is a unique creation from a far-away culture. By shopping with us you are helping to keep the ancient artisan traditions of these fascinating communities alive. The handcrafted touch of artisan skill creates variations in color, size and design. If buying two of the same item, slight differences should be expected. Note: Color discrepancies may occur between this product and your computer screen. Ships Carbon Neutral*

Carved Soapstone 10-inch Chess Set (India) $32.99 Enjoy the game of kings on a whole new level with Worldstock's carved soapstone 10-in. chess set. Each piece in this eye-catching set is handcrafted in India using age-old techniques. The top of the velvet-lined box is also made from soapstone. Free your inner chess master or indulge a friend's hobby--order yours today. The Story Behind the Product 35 year old Fahim Khan has been shaping stone into exquisite design since he was a 12 years old. His father was a government employee, so Khan had to learn the craft from other craftsmen. In Agra, where Khan lives, the primary crafts are leatherworking and stone working. Khan choose to work on stone and now makes soapstone chess-sets as well as many other decorative and utilitarian items, including candle-holders, Taj Mahal replicas and more. He says it takes over 15 days to carve a full set of chess pieces and ready the board. The final product sells for over 1300 rupees in the market. Ansari supports his large family; including his parents, his wife, and four sons. Each Worldstock product is a unique creation from a far-away culture. By shopping with us you are helping to keep the ancient artisan traditions of these fascinating communities alive. The handcrafted touch of artisan skill creates variations in color, size and design. If buying two of the same item, slight differences should be expected. Note: Color discrepancies may occur between this product and your computer screen. Ships Carbon Neutral*

Soapstone jewelry box, 'Floral Cheer' $37.95 Colorful wildflowers bring their bright beauty to a jewelry box. By Ganesh Sharma, it is carved from natural soapstone and painted by hand. The coffer is lined with velvet.

Soapstone jar, 'Lattice Lace' (large) $40.99 Finely carved in jali or openwork, latticework creates lacy patterns. Gulam Rasool crafts an exquisite jar with lid in soapstone's natural colors. A flower crowns the box.

Soapstone sculpture, 'Laughing Buddha' $84.95 Lord Buddha is mirthful as he throws back his head and laughs out loud. The laughing Buddha represents prosperity, happiness and longevity; many believe that rubbing his belly will bring good luck and fortune. Gulam Rasool presents this delightful image carved from soapstone.

Soapstone plate, 'Sunset Birds' $39.95 Perched on sturdy leafy branches, a yellow bird and a red bird look up toward the sunset with attentive eyes. Ganesh Sharma masterfully paints them on a decorative soapstone plate which he carved by hand, letting the stone's natural grain accentuate the colorful painting. Includes a seesham wood stand.

Soapstone plate, 'Bird Chitchat' $39.95 Enjoying the sunny weather of India, birds chitchat atop leafy branches in a detailed composition by Ganesh Sharma. He paints them on a decorative soapstone plate which he carved by hand, letting the stone's natural grain accentuate the colorful painting. Includes a seesham wood stand.

Soapstone plate, 'Krishna as a Boy' $44.95 By Ganesh Sharma, this dazzling plate is carved from natural soapstone. He painstaking paints it by hand, depicting Krishna as a child. A peacock watches while the boy eats curd from a pot. The blue color represents the young lord's cloud complexion. Sharma presents the decorative plate on a sheesham wood display stand.

Soapstone sculpture, 'Mother Elephant' $54.99 Ruffled rosettes crown an elephant who wears the jingling harness of the royal stables. Carved in dainty jali, or openwork, her tummy reveals two perfect miniature elephants inside. Gulam Rasool masterfully sculpts the elegant pachyderms of natural soapstone.

Soapstone / Sandstone Charger - Canvas $18 Soapstone / Sandstone Charger - Canvas Please note: Only the Grey-Green Soapstone is available to ship in 1-2 days; white sandstone ships in 1-2 weeks. Exquisite, elegant and functional, these pieces are hand-carved by a Haitian artisan cooperative using traditional hand tools. This artisian project is run by Aid to Artisan. Available in hand-carved green-grey soapstone or white sandstone. $30 Large: 12" **LARGE SOLD OUT AND DISCONTINUED** $18 Small: 8" "Welcome to canvas, a new collection of ceramics, wooden objects, textiles, accessories and furniture for the home created by artisans and craftsmen from the US and abroad. canvas is a journey around the globe that combines natural materials with interesting textures. Unstructured, soft shapes and subtle colours define a look that is understated yet elegant. With a continued pursuit of products made under fair trade and green principles, we aim for a collection that represents simple, sustainable style."

Soapstone candleholders, 'Lotus Light' (pair) $49.95 A pair of eight-petal lotuses spread out to welcome nature's blessing in this admirable pair of candleholders. Designed by Sibanand and Shweta, each holder is finely carved by hand from pink soapstone and is designed for standard t-lights. Sibanand and Shweta work with Orissa soapstone, which has a naturally grainy texture that makes the carving process more challenging, yet making each piece unique. Clear molten wax gently to avoid scratching. If needed, soapstone products can be wiped with a mild detergent.

Soapstone carving demo