Hand-Carved Holy Family Soapstone Nativity Set, Kenya-Made, 5-Piece

This 5-piece Nativity set, hand-carved from Kisii soapstone by African artisans, includes Mary, Joseph, the Baby Jesus, and animals in a sleek, modern sculpture. Design variations should be expected and appreciated for the unique handmade nature of each piece, as a variety of communities carve the figurines.

The product features 5 figurines hand-carved from natural soapstone, with color variations ranging from creamy white to pink, grey, and gold within a single piece. The tallest piece measures approximately 4 inches, while the smallest is around 1.25 inches tall. The diameter of each piece is approximately 1 inch, and the Baby Jesus figurine is roughly 1.5 inches in length by 1 inch wide. Due to the handmade nature, the actual size of each piece may vary slightly.

Soapstone, a soft stone, is easy to carve into many forms, but care must be taken to avoid breakage. Each piece has gone through multiple stages of sanding and waxing, resulting in a satiny finish. These are socially responsible products that empower consumers to purchase according to their values and help alleviate global poverty. Fair Trade is an alternative business model that values safe workplaces, fair wages, and community investment for factory employees.

The story behind the art reveals that each sculpture is artfully hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone, found only in the hills of southwestern Kenya. Mining the soapstone from surface hills is a labor-intensive process, using little to no machinery. Laborers work with shovels, picks, axes, and machetes to carve out large soapstone chunks, which are then carved into beautiful art.

Overall, this Nativity set offers a unique and socially responsible opportunity for consumers to purchase handmade, artisanal products that support fair trade and global community development.

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