Probably Kenya, 20th century
Soapstone (steatite)
4.5 x 11.5 x 7 cm (H x W x D)
From a former regional museum group
Every KOBK object is one of one and carries its age honestly. Expect marks, wear and patina as part of the piece; any specific fault is noted above. Where an object is photographed on a stand, the stand is included.
Notes
The strongest lean is Kenya, again the long soapstone tradition around Tabaka in Kisii country. The form fits that reading: compact, low to the ground, simply cut, with the shell pattern scratched in rather than overworked.
Soapstone suits this kind of object because it is soft enough to shape quickly, dense enough to feel substantial, and handsome even before it is polished. A small turtle, but also a clear example of a material doing most of the work.
