Springstone
Reference articles are in English.
Swing Me Mama by Dominic Benhura. Springstone · Singapore Botanic Gardens · donated in 1999 Source
Description
Springstone is a trade and sculptural name associated with Zimbabwean stone carving. It is commonly a hard, dark stone capable of a deep polish. Contrasts between polished areas and rougher surfaces can play an important part in the sculpture. The name is not a universal mineralogical classification.
History
Springstone belongs to the material vocabulary of modern Zimbabwean sculpture. The documented practice of carvers such as Boira Mteki places it within an artistic tradition that works with the character of individual stones.
Commissioning
The artist should identify the supplied material and explain the intended surface treatment. Provenance, block condition, display and care should form part of the discussion. A dark polished photograph alone cannot establish the stone’s identity.