Lepoard Stone Serpentine Whale Tail Carving

Fabulous whale tail carved by hand in Zimbabwe. The statue is made of leopard stone, a variety of serpentine, by local Shona artists who carve without power tools using files, rasps, and sandpaper. We are both pleased and proud to host the art of the Shona.

Not to be confused with leopard skin jasper, leopard stone is a hard variety of serpentine found in the Nyanga region of Zimbabwe. It is a magnesium silicate stone with dramatic black spots on a pale yellow-green background. It is a favourite material of the Shona artists of Zimbabwe, showcasing the mastery of the carver as it is a difficult stone to carve.

Whales are one of the most intuitive and moving symbols of the sea. In them, we recognize longevity, wisdom, and stability. They offer us profound intelligence, powerful inspiration, and the offer of a life long spiritual guide.

11x12x5 cm
4 x 4 1/2 x 1 3/4 inch
144g

As a natural mineral, this product may include the beautiful, fabulous inconsistencies, dings, divots, inclusions, vugs, and sparkly bits that nature bestows upon the things that it creates. Any woes and wonders have been calculated into the price. We’ve done our best to capture the product accurately, but colours will vary and measurements are taken on oddly shaped stones. Metaphysical properties are not intended as a substitute for professional medical or psychological treatment.