Shona Sculpture from Zimbabwe at StoneAge Art Company - Maintaining your sculpture - Shona Stone Sculptures and African Tribal Masks

Maintaining your Shona Sculpture

Your stone sculptures generally do not require regular maintenance but here are some things to consider:

Indoor Shona Sculptures

Over a period of time all polished stone sculptures will become dull and lose their shine. If you would like to restore the shine, use a clear beeswax polish or clear wax furniture polish on your sculpture. Stone is porous and absorbs the wax better when slightly heated. Place your sculpture outside in the sun on a hot day and apply the polish when warm. Allow the stone to cool and the polish to dry before buffing with a soft cloth to bring back the shine. The above method also applies to stone sculptures with small scratches and minor damage. You may also use a hairdryer or heat-gun as an artificial method to gently warm your sculpture.

Outdoor Shona Sculptures

In warmer climates there are generally no problems associated with having stone sculptures outdoors. In colder climates, winter temperatures that drop below zero for a sustained period are generally too cold for sculptures outside as they may absorb moisture, freeze and then crack. For colder climates we recommend that the sculpture be fully polished as the wax polish repels moisture. You should also try to raise the sculpture off the ground to prevent moisture being absorbed and as an extra precaution we suggest that a concrete/driveway sealer, available in most hardware stores, be applied to the underside of the base. In extremely cold areas we recommend that you bring them inside for the Winter if possible. Remember stone is a natural product and has lived outside for centuries but it doesn't do any harm to take some precautions.

'Lovers' purchased by George and Mike, Vancouver

As the owners of StoneAge we personally have stone sculptures outside and have observed the pieces in both extreme and mild temperatures. In winter we have also had the occassional snowfalls that have melted after a few days and there have been no adverse affect on our sculptures. We also live across the road from the ocean beach and have had no adverse affects on our sculptures over the years from the ocean air and salt.

Handling your Shona Sculptures

Some of the softer stones can scratch quite easily so you should be very careful when handling them. Even fingernails and rings can leave marks. Many people also think that stone is very hard and won't break easily. In fact, stone is extremely fragile and breaks very easily if dropped or knocked off it's pedastel.

If you follow these simple guidelines, you can expect to enjoy many years of pleasure from your beautiful sculpture.

For more information on how to ideally place your sculpture within your home, please see 'Placing your Sculpture'