Shona sculpture from Zimbabwe Africa carved by artist, Ndale Wilo. Stands approx 16" tall and is approx 10" wide. Carved from Serpentine stone, Signed on bottom, Ndale. World renowned African sculptor, Ndale Wilo of Tengenenge art community, produced works of art that are mostly intuitive. These artists need to be re-examined and revisited in the context of their originality and idiosyncrasies. After Zimbabwe achieved independence in 1980, the doors of the new country were flung wide open to the art world. The First Generation artists (1940s and 1950s) (those who were instrumental in the early development of the art form) became ‘discovered’, subjected to critical acclaim, and thrust into art careers, some highly successful. The “Second Generation” artists, inspired by the artworks and early successes of their predecessors, continued to move the art form into new and exciting directions that captivated art lovers and critics internationally.The story of how Zimbabwean stone sculptors came to occupy a firmly established position in the international world of art museums and galleries goes back many years—some observers claim as far back as the fourteenth century and the construction of a series of architecturally complex stone villages, the Zimbabwe's or “ruler’s places” from which the newly independent country (the former British colony of Southern Rhodesia) took its name in 1980. The ruined remains of these settlements were discovered in the 19th century, and the largest became known as “Great Zimba-bwe” Along with what remained of the architecture of “Great Zimba-bwe” were small artifacts, impressively carved totems, and imposing bird-like figures fashioned from the stone that is an abundant resource in mineral-rich Zimbabwe. Serpentine: Many of the patterns and colors seen in these rock deposits throughout Zimbabwe are similar to those seen in some snake skins, which is why the term “serpentine” has come to be used to describe them. There are no scientific categories that perfectly match the names and meanings that sculptors use, but springstone, opalstone, leopard rock, lepidolite, cobalt and golden serpentine are all names that varieties (there are more than 200 of them) of this stone are given. The colors range from brown to black to green, and are sometimes variegated. Serpentine stone is 2.6 billion years old.

Very good condition with slight scuffing on nose