{"product_id":"shona-stone-verdite-elephant-sculpture-zimbabwe-matter-collection-154770","title":"Shona Stone Verdite Elephant Sculpture Zimbabwe MATTER COLLECTION","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"114\" data-end=\"379\"\u003eThis hand-carved verdite elephant is a striking example of \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eShona sculpture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e from Zimbabwe. Crafted from richly colored verdite stone, the piece highlights the smooth, flowing lines and organic forms that define this celebrated sculptural style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"381\" data-end=\"775\"\u003eShona sculpture rose to prominence in the mid-20th century, blending traditional African artistic influences with modernist aesthetics. Artists work primarily with locally sourced stones—such as serpentine, soapstone, and verdite—using simple hand tools to shape each piece. The result is a distinctive style characterized by polished surfaces, abstracted forms, and a strong sense of movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"777\" data-end=\"1060\"\u003eAnimal figures, like this elephant, are a common subject in Shona carving, often symbolizing strength, wisdom, and a connection to the natural world. The deep green tones and natural variations in the verdite give each sculpture a unique presence, making no two pieces exactly alike.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProvenance: Matter Collection\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"777\" data-end=\"1060\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTusks are removable. If you prefer to keep them securely in place, we recommend using a small amount of adhesive or a piece of double-sided tape.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Polaris-Box\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_ActivatorWrapper_36nu6_55\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"PRODUCT.metafields.custom.height_in_-anchor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_ActivatorButton_36nu6_59\" aria-label=\"Edit Height (In) metafield\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_RowWrapper_36nu6_4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_FormFieldLabel_36nu6_30\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd\"\u003eHeight (In) 2.5\u003cbr\u003eWidth (In) 3.5\u003cbr\u003eDepth (In) 2.5\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e154770\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"sku 154000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51371532845351,"sku":"154770","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_1619.jpg?v=1777998406","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/shona-stone-verdite-elephant-sculpture-zimbabwe-matter-collection-154770","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}