The Masters

Abstracts: Works done by master sculptors

Since the 1950s the stone sculpture produced by the master artists of Zimbabwe has justifiably been called the best known expression of sub-Saharan contemporary art. This particular art has no historical roots in Zimbabwe and has not derived from any identifiable indigenous artistic tradition. The sculpture has been made credible as serious art, as opposed to "tourist" art produced during that time in other African countries, by its appearance in public museums throughout Europe and North America. Rich in symbolism, imagery and association, it shares the same properties as many examples of the best contemporary work done outside the "third world." The work is nevertheless completely African, representing expressions of the traditional beliefs of the societies from which the artists have emerged. Yet, unlike more accepted tribal art, the sculpture does not have a truly ceremonial or ritualistic function. The aesthetic origins of the sculpture presented in this section lie in the artists' conceptions of the spiritual dimensions of their own cultures.

We hope you enjoy browsing through this section of our catalog. If you wish to see a larger photo of the piece, simply click the existing photo. You will note that there may be "More Views" picture frame links accompanying some of the photos displayed. Click each of these with your mouse cursor and a different view will be displayed. Use the "back" arrow to return to the original and then look at another view if desired.

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"Playful Child Boy" by Cassian Munhundarima
The artist Cassian Munhundarima named this piece "Playful Child Boy". As with all his work he has used polished and unpolished surfaces to give the different texture and colour. The piece is carved from Springstone Serpentine. This statue weighs 6 pounds. It is 10 inches high, 9 inches wide and 1 3/4 inches deep.

Price $245.00 Order "Playful Child Boy" by Cassian Munhundarima

Hammerkop Bird by Chironga
	Chriss Chironga has given us a beautiful abstract portrayal of a hammerkop. The hammerkop, also called the Lightning Bird, is a South African bird once believed to bring the heavy rains. When rain threatened to get too high, tribal herbalists would hang the bird upside down over a river that was rising. They claimed that the hammerkop would make the rain stop to prevent itself from drowning. This sculpture was executed in Springstone Serpentine. The statue weighs 70 pounds. It is 23 1/2 inches high, 12 1/2 inches wide and 8 inches deep.

Price $895.00 Order Hammerkop Bird by Chironga

Beautiful Birds by Njobo
A beautiful pair of birds, portrayed by Zachariah Njobo. This African art sculpture was done in Fruit Serpentine stone with varying brown coloration. The statue weighs 36 pounds. It is 7 1/4 inches high, 26 inches wide and 6 inches deep.

Price $895.00 Order Beautiful Birds by Njobo

"Man" by Chironga
	Chriss Chironga's rendition of "Man." This rather stark sculpture was executed in Springstone Serpentine. The statue weighs 53 pounds. It is 29 1/4 inches high, 7 inches wide and 7 inches deep.

Price $825.00 Order "Man" by Chironga
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