SHONA SCULPTURE

Shona Stone Sculpture from Zimbabwe

Shona sculpture is widely regarded as the finest expression of African contemporary art — hand-carved stone works from Zimbabwe, a land whose name derives from a word meaning "house of stone." There is no formal training in this tradition; the skills are passed down through families, and each piece is carved from hard serpentine, springstone, and marble using only a hammer and chisel. Hemingway African Gallery has imported these sculptures directly from the artists in Zimbabwe since the early 1980s, holding long-standing relationships with acclaimed sculptors including Bywell Sango, Witness Bonjisi, Nesbert Mukomberanwa, and Dominic Benhura. Family-owned since 1975 and based in Tribeca, we offer original, one-of-a-kind stone sculpture — many pieces accompanied by a certificate of authenticity — for collectors and designers seeking work of lasting beauty and value.

What You'll Find in Shona Sculpture

• Abstract sculpture — modern, flowing forms carved in black, green, and white stone
• Figural sculpture — expressive human forms, mother-and-child works, and torsos
• Animal sculpture — elephants, birds, and other wildlife in stone
• Monumental sculpture — large-scale statement pieces for gardens and grand interiors
• Table-top sculpture — smaller works scaled for shelves, desks, and intimate spaces
• Stone bowls — hand-carved serpentine and marble bowls and dishes

Why Collect Shona Sculpture

• Direct from the artists — purchased in Zimbabwe and imported by Hemingway since the early 1980s
• Renowned sculptors — works by Bywell Sango, Witness Bonjisi, Nesbert Mukomberanwa, Dominic Benhura, and more
• Hand-carved & one-of-a-kind — shaped from solid stone with hammer and chisel, never mass-produced
• Indoor & outdoor — durable stone suited to gardens, patios, and interiors alike
• Authenticated — many pieces include a certificate of authenticity and the artist's name

Explore the Collection