3 soapstone animal figures

Handmade

Super nice soapstone animal figures from Peru. All animals are made by a large family who have turned soapstone into an art. Each animal is unique and a true piece of art.

History of soapstone sculptures

The oldest soapstone sculptures date from China more than 3,000 years ago. This is where the first crafts in soapstone processing arose. The Ming Dynasty was the peak of this, lasting from 1368 to 1644. From China, the art of soapstone working spread across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The ancient Greeks, for example, used soapstone for stamps, the Vikings made jewelry from it and a genuine sculpture culture developed in Zimbabwe. From the 17th century, Europeans also started to work on soapstone art.

What is soapstone?

Soapstone is a mineral known as talc or steatite. It is very soft and is used as a talcum powder, chalk or as a filler. The solid form suitable for sculpture is called soapstone. A polished stone feels a bit greasy and is therefore sometimes referred to as soapstone. A property that protects the art pieces very well against the influence of moisture.