Here is a beautiful soapstone chess set from Kenya, East Africa. This work of art was masterfully hand carved by a carver from the Kisii tribe, living in western Kenya. The board itself is 12 inches in diameter, carved out of soapstone and painted vivid colors. The chess boards that we offer have different animals such as elephants, rhino, giraffe, or zebras painted on the border. The chess pieces vary with some being carved animals, birds or huts--all rather abstract carvings. The chess sets that we offer are very unique with no two that are exactly the same. Soapstone comes from Kisii, a western province of Kenya. Kisii sculptors use traditional tools and methods that have been handed down from father to son, from generation to generation, a very important cultural aspect in their society. They quarry their own stone and carve it using only hand tools. The artist adapts his work to fit the special attributes of each piece of stone, making every object with its unique variations, a one-of-a-kind work of art. After detailing is done, it is polished to a high sheen to unearth and enhance the unique marble-like lines in the stone. gam03Regular price: $84.90Sale price: $69.70Color: redblue