"Chipembere" // The Rhinoceros

A mighty and strong animal, the rhinoceros symbolizes vigilance and calm. These formidable animals with their grand grey eminence carry great dignity while traveling their solitary way. Rhinos are also thought of for their maternal loyalty, caring, and voracious protection of their young.

Fruit Serpentine is amazing because it holds the largest variety of colors in its darkish strata. It is a very hard stone and is rarely found in large boulders today. No two Fruit Serpentine stones are alike as it is formed from a variety of minerals including quarts, manganese, iron and copper.

Dating back to 1956 until today, stone sculptures in Zimbabwe are the best-known manifestation of African contemporary art. Northern Zimbabwe has uniquely large amounts of carvable stone. The stone was so important to the people that the name ‘Shona’ is derived from a word in their native language that means ‘house of stone.’ There is no technical artistic training in Shona sculpture. Sculpting skills are passed down through families and the large and hard stones are carved with only a hammer and chisel.