Hand carved Soapstone Cat, Orange and White 4" x 3.5" x 1.5" Hand carved in Kenya, Africa by a group of artisans that is a self help group that also supports an orphanage and pays for education of school children. Carved from Soapstone - a soft rock. Dyes are natural and plant based. As each one is handcrafted by a group of artisans, minor variations in size, color and designs may occur. Zanzibar is proud to introduce our original designs of our soapstone! We work closely with artisans to create new, innovative and finer works than have been traditionally produced, while also carving some traditional designs that have been around for decades! Whether serving as a practical paperweight or a charming decorative detail, our artisan creations will beautify your home while helping support an entire community of crafters through the uplifting ethical practice of fair trade. Every member of Zanzibar’s delightful animal parade is fashioned entirely by hand, carved of locally-quarried soapstone in the Kisii region of eastern Kenya, and painted using natural plant-based dyes. Because of the unique nature of individual craftsmanship, no two are precisely alike and there may be slight variations in size, pigment, and design. Stock may not be limited to featured examples - thus other colors and designs may ship to you and differ from those shown. Soapstone is a naturally-occurring dense metamorphic rock composed mostly of talc, making it soft, smooth, and easily carved as the name suggests. While found worldwide, Kenyan soapstone is of exceptional quality and lends itself well to this handicraft. Our soapstone is carefully quarried by our cooperative using shovels and picks, dressed and prepared for being worked, carved with love and skill, and finally painted in a rainbow of colors to bring them to life. Multiple artisans often work on each piece: first machetes are used to rough out the piece, then small knives are used to refine the piece, before it is sanded under water then dyed. Every step is a labor-intensive act of pride and community effort on the part of our artisans, and their own spirits shine through their finished creations. Over eighty artisans benefit within our cooperative in many ways. They are paid a proper, living wage for their labor, and receive support for both individual benefit and collective well-being; such as weekly community lunches and dinners, monthly bonuses of essential home staples like flour and cooking oil, and fully-paid schooling for their children. The cooperative also supports an orphanage. Thank you for choosing to support our artisans with your purchase. You are not only providing your customers with charming, unique, handmade creations they will treasure for a lifetime, but directly helping uplift an entire community to be self-supporting, independent, and prosperous.