Here is a beautiful, hand–crafted rhinoceros from Kenya, East Africa. This work of art was masterfully hand-carved from a single block of richly grained teak by a special Akamba carver who lives in southern Kenya. This piece has been has been exquisitely carved to display the natural, rich lines of the teak wood, then polished to a high sheen. This is a very nice piece of artwork, not the roughly carved, mass-produced variety often seen in the open markets or the usual tourist shops. We have personally selected this piece for its beautifully carved lines and the rich grain in the highly polished wood. Rhinos are breath-taking to watch, and are indeed one of the “Big Five” attractions which draw tourists to Kenya. Despite its huge size and weight, the rhino has surprising agility, and so is the very representation of strong power. They have a vile temper and often charge blindly at groups of people or vehicles, with no provocation. Poachers have caused near extinction, but through the diligent efforts of wildlife officials and special park guards, this spectacular species is making a slow, but steady come back in number. In rough woodsheds and under the shade of the mango trees, Akamba wood carvers work in a craft-cooperative, surrounded with sounds of chipping and sanding, men’s voices and laughter, occasional singing and the spicy, tangy smell of exotic woods. Here the craftsmen reduce single pieces of wood into useful and beautiful pieces of folk art, using only simple hand tools of axes, various-sized knives, files and sandpaper. 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. This carver, however, is a Master of masters, in his beautiful detailed carving. Free standing, this rhinoceros carving stands 3 inches tall is 5 inches long. |