African Inspired Handmade Figurines

Africa is renowned for its relics, artifacts, carvings, and a myriad of other pieces of art and crafts. Some of these African inspired handmade figurines are especially crafted for rituals, but a big share is also still utilized in everyday life, no different than centuries ago. Some are as old as valleys that run through the landscape; others are expressions of the present time. All of them have mystical powers, and are crafted with the greatest care and love to the art.

h3. Animal inspired figures

African handmade figurines are stunning objects representing some of Africa’s most beautiful and loved animals. There are ornaments of elephants, lions, leopards, cheetah, hippo and many more. Each African ornament is meticulously hand crafted using the highest quality crushed marble and set in a resin base, which on being hardened is hand-painted to produce beautiful and individual pieces.

Handcrafted figurines start when a tree is cut down in Africa

In Africa, a tree is cut down and taken to a warehouse where it is broken down into hundreds of miniature pieces. Then it is left for the night. When it is morning the expert African carvers all from different parts of the town come to collect the hard woods needed to help them start on their next project, be it carving wooden pens, wooden figurines, spears, any wooden creation they are so expert at making. They will spend numerous days carving the wood until they can say they are pleased with the final result. The carving will then go through a stage where it is polished till it is noticeably shiny and then it will be left to dry. Once dry the carving is ready to be shipped off to any parts of the world where it is need.

Years of experience in creating works of wooden art

This skill is not easily acquired and cannot just be learned in one day; it is a craft that on average is developed over a number of years. When you think about how long it would take to become an expert in this craft you can see why the people of Aburi are definitely one of the best at what they do. There are many different types of art pieces that are made in this region of Africa. These range from sculptures, textiles, abstract paintings, leather goods, exquisite fabrics or abstract paintings and many other original handcrafted products. The process of making wooden African figurines is a lengthy and time consuming practice and can take nearly a whole week before it is done.

Laws in place to protect hard working artisans

Many of the African carvers and artisans in most of the third world countries do not make a lot of money, especially when we take into context the fact that they are earning not just for themselves but for their families. In the past these crafters were taken advantage of for their hard work and artifacts. It is very fortunate that there is now a law in place called the fair trade act which covers these hardworking artisans. The amounts these artists are making are still small however when you consider how much of a contribution they make in order for bigger businesses who control them to survive. The artisans provide the products so it is only right that they are also credited through what they are paid.

Africa has many great artists but in the West African area there are a great number of artisans who specialize in making original African inspired hand crafted figurines and statuettes from wood.

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