VINTAGE Rhodesian SHONA Sculpture Rhodesian BIRD CREST Hand Carved

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VINTAGE Rhodesian SHONA Sculpture Rhodesian BIRD CREST Hand Carved:
$84.00

NO RETURNS - I ship to PAYPAL CONFIRMED/VERIFIED addresses ONLY - Comes from a SMOKE FREE PET FREE HOME
MEASURES: 5 1/2in long by 2 3/4 at the widest part approx 3/4 thick
This is minimum 60 years old.

The stone-carvedZimbabwe Birdis the national emblem ofZimbabwe, appearing on the national Flags and coats of arms of both Zimbabwe andRhodesia, as well as onbanknotesand coins (first onRhodesian poundand thenRhodesian dollar). It probably represents theBateleur eagleor theAfrican fish eagle.

The original carved birds are from the ruined city ofGreat Zimbabwe, which was built by ancestors of theShona, starting in the 11th century and continuing for over 300 years.The ruins, after which modern Zimbabwe was named, cover some 1,800 acres (7.3km2) and are the largest ancient stone construction in Zimbabwe. Among its notable elements are thesoapstonebird sculptures, about 16 inches tall and standing on columns more than a yard tall, were installed on walls and monoliths of the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe.They are believed to have been a sign of the royal presence.

After the ruins of Great Zimbabwe were discovered by European colonists in the late nineteenth century, they took five of the carved birds to theCape Colonyand sold them to its leaderCecil Rhodes. A German missionary came to own the pedestal of one bird, which he sold to the Ethnological Museum in Berlin in 1907.At the independence ofZimbabwein 1981, the South African government returned four of the statues to the country; the fifth is held atGroote Schuur, Rhodes\' former home inCape Town. In 2003, the German museum returned the portion of bird\'s pedestal to Zimbabwe.

History of Zimbabwean Shona Sculpture

African stone sculpture from Zimbabwe is often called Shona sculpture, named after the largest tribe engaged in sculpting. Zimbabwe - derived from the Shona worddzimbadzamabwewhich means ‘house of stone’ – is the only country on the African continent that has large deposits of stone suitable for sculpting.In ancient times stone was used extensively for building and for decorative purposes. The Great Zimbabwe settlement, now a World Heritage Site, is testimony to the skill and artistry of the ancestors of today’s sculptors. Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, at a time when Europe was just emerging from the Dark Ages, these accomplished stone masons used hand-hewn granite blocks to painstakingly and precisely build ornate towers and enclosures – all free of mortar. Parts of the settlement combine natural rock formation and dry stone construction – the two blending aesthetically and functionally.Centuries later, in the late 1950s, Frank McEwen, the founding curator of the National Gallery of what was then Southern Rhodesia, recognizing the Shona peoples’ affinity with stone, and their innate creativity, established a sculpture workshop at the Gallery and invited the participation of aspiring stone sculptors. There was no attempt to instruct. Those who were interested were simply given the tools and the stone. As McEwen described it, their work revealed “the images they bore in their souls”. No technical training was given. The sculptors learned from one another and taught one another. This mentoring tradition continues today. Aspiring artists learn by watching the masters, by observing the stone and finally by picking up the tools and applying themselves to the stone.In the words of Bernard Matemera, one of the founders of this movement: “The spirits are everywhere in the air, in the rocks. A rock is like a fruit – like an orange or a banana. You don’t eat them without peeling them first. It needs to be opened to be eaten. I open the rocks. The fruit is inside.”Artists draw extensively for inspiration on traditional culture: the mythology, folklore, rituals and beliefs in ancestral spirits that remain strong strands even in contemporary, urban Zimbabwean life. Women are also a significant source of inspiration: the nude torso, the dancing girl, mother and child are depicted in a myriad of ways. The natural world and man’s relationship with nature is another important theme, which reflects the country’s deep rural roots.This art movement attracts, and continues to attract, sculptors from surrounding African counties – Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia – so while the Shona people are still predominant, other cultural influences have enriched the creation of the sculptures that bear their name.In the late 1960s the world recognized that a new art movement had been born in Africa and collectors started snapping up work. Shona sculpture first became popular in the United Kingdom, Holland and Germany. More recently other European countries, the US and Australia have hosted exhibitions of Shona sculpture and galleries specializing in the work have opened in the many major cities.Works from first generation Shona sculptors such as Henry Munyaradzi, Nicholas Mukomberanwa and Bernard Matemera, are much sought after by art collectors worldwide.

** I am selling another as well, same size, but with Chinese Symbol
I will pack very carefully....this can be sent priority reasonably cheaply. I do NOT ship outside the US. I am sorry. I will combine both pieces if you win both into one priority envelope.
PLEASE READ: SHIPPING (LARGE PIECES ESPECIALLY)
PS: I usually try to make the best approximation of shipping that I can. I do not pack these up beforehand to get shipping quotes in case someone needs some specific questions answered. So far I have been exceptionally lucky that if I under quote shipping -people will split the diff with me-no problems and I always refund any excess. However, last large item I shipped I double boxed, bought tons of peanuts etc and charged $50 for shipping when actual shipping was $90. The winner refused to to split the diff w me. $20!! So now I will estimate the cost and beg you to understand. I charge ONLY actual shipping and cost of bubble wrap/peanuts/boxes if bought. I will always offer copies of receipts if requested...and shipping prices are on the UPS/USPS labels. But if actual shipping, like in previous case is too much over what I estimated, I will request you to split the diff with me. If you refuse,which is your right, I will refund your money and not send theitem. With and Paypal fees well over 12% total I can not afford to lose too much.
BUT, in cases of paintings etc especially those that have glass in the frames....they need to be double boxed, and to cover damage UPS requires to box the item themselves. If I pack the item - it is covered for loss only. Keep that in mind, and I can always go to UPS to get an estimate if you give me time..obviously not at the last minute. I do not sell on as a living. I have a job and and as the narrative below states, I am just getting rid of my mother\'s items to pay the medical bills. So yes, if your interested in a large item/frames painting etc....give me time to get estimates from UPS first to see if you want to spend whatever it takes to ship theitem. All items shipped will have tracking and except for items under $12 will have insurance (exception to that is if shipped with UPS).
So because of the last bad transaction: I will OVER-ESTIMATE the cost ofshipping for most items. I will combine items when I can (if I can do so safely-remember USPS and UPS charges a surcharge for boxes that are larger-not weight), BUT I ALWAYS refund anything excess over $2.00 (but I do use considerable amount of bubble wrap/peanuts etc to protect the items....see my response- so that does factor into the shipping charge-but not excessively, usually just a few dollars) Thank you for understanding. has a great family of buyers and sellers andmost understand,unfortunately, there are a few that don\'t believe in \'karma\' - \'what goes around, comes around.\' It can spoil the experience for all of us.
HISTORY of Items Being Listed: I will be listing a great deal of Asian items this week.Most have been in my family for many, many years. It was my mother\'s and I inherited all her Asian collection. It has NOT been in the sunlight at all so the colors are vibrant.
Please check the photos out carefully. Most of the items I will be listing have been in my mother\'s possession since we lived in Japan/Korea and China (State Dept employees) 40 years ago and are themselves well over 30-40-50 years old before my mother acquired them. They have been kept in storage units over the decades and not on public display...some items are in fantastic condition, considering the age...but there might be small stains, some wear and tear that an antique item will have.
I wish I could tell you what they are. We did have a list but as I am only three feet into the storage unit, I have yet to fnd it. So any Japanese collector out there could email me what they are, I would GREATLY appreciate the help.
I will be listing many pieces of her KIMEKOMI collection (medical bills make it necessary)-as well as to other Asian (Japanese, Korean and Chinese) items. Please keep checking back for more items as the weeks pass, as I get to the back of a 5 feet by 10 feet storage unit.
I give no guarantee as to the age of these items, I only know my mother bought them while in Asia and we returned as a family, from Asia, 40 years ago. I know she has spent a great deal of moneytransporting these to her home in Canada, then the US, to when Iinherited them, 20 years ago, and I have paid for air controlled storage units to this day. She also continued expanding her collection till she could no longer take care of her items.
Shipping will be paid for by the buyer, unless otherwise stated. Some of the larger items (carved Chinese Bar etc) buyer will have to make arrangements to pick up (here in Columbia SC) or have professional movers or others pick up. I do not have a pick up/truck/van to help move and my age and conditionrules that out anyway. Small items I can mail via USPS/UPS but the heavy furniture - will be the buyers responsibility to have picked up and shipped to buyers location.
Please email me with your questions. Iall try to answer to the best of my ability, but please do your own homework/research on theitem. Please check out my response for more insight into my honesty and integrity. I will fulfill my end of the transaction, I expect the buyer to do same. But again, I urge you to look at the photos carefully so see any flaws the item may have (I make it a point to state if the item has a flaw if I can see it. I also will take photos if I see it.)
Thank you
This is a PET FREE SMOKE FREE HOME