Here is a beautiful hand-crafted hippopotamus and her baby from Kenya, East Africa. This work of art was masterfully hand-carved from a single block of rich, black ebony wood and polished to a high sheen by an Akamba carver who lives in southern Kenya. The craftsman created this beautiful piece of folk art, using only simple hand tools of small axes, various-sized knives, files and sandpaper. We have personally selected this piece for its beautiful carved lines, realistically portrayed. Hippos are among the most quick-tempered creatures on earth. Most of the time they are typically content to sleep away the day submerged in the shallow spots of a river or lake. But when they are alarmed, they are quick to become hostile and aggressive. Yet despite their huge teeth (and tusks) and their grumpy nature, hippos are strictly vegetarians—grazing on grass. The Akamba people are famous all over the world for their unique wood carving skills, which are passed from generation to generation. I have met Akamba men who were 5th generation wood carvers. The man who carved this piece, however, is a Master of the masters! This is NOT a carving that you would find in most tourist shops or in the local street markets. Nicely detailed, this hippo family carving stands approx. 3-4 inches tall and 7-8 inches long. |