Springstone Abstract Face Carving (158mm)

This Springstone Abstract Face Carving has an immediate presence. Its form is smooth and pear-shaped — widest at the cheeks and jaw, tapering upward to a flat, narrow crest — giving it a clean, mask-like silhouette that reads beautifully from every angle. Standing 158.8mm tall and weighing 777g, it is the most compact of its kind, yet it carries real weight and sculptural authority.

The carving is defined by restraint. A prominent geometric nose rises through the centre of the face, its clean planes catching the light softly across the polished stone. Beneath it, a small vertical philtrum leads to a pair of thick, closed lips rendered with quiet precision. Everything else is left smooth and unworked, letting the dark, semi-matte surface speak for itself—revealing the natural flecking and tonal depth held within the springstone.

Each piece is worked from a single block of genuine springstone, so no two are ever identical. Subtle shifts in tone, surface texture, and finish give every face its own character. The solid rectangular base, shaped from the same dark stone, grounds the composition with poise. The carving photographed is the piece you will receive — a one-of-a-kind object shaped by an artisan’s hand, not a machine.

Its compact, considered form is easy to style. Place it on an entrance console for a strong first impression, position it on a shelf to add depth among books and collected objects, or let it anchor a study or living room with its calm, sculptural presence. It suits modern, eclectic, and globally inspired interiors equally well, bringing artistry, atmosphere, and a grounding sense of intention wherever it is placed.

Springstone Properties

• Mineral: Springstone
• Form: Hand-carved freestanding abstract face carving
• Colour: Deep charcoal to black with natural tonal variation and subtle speckling
• Dimensions: Height: 158.8mm, Thickness: 43.7mm, Base Length: 87mm, Base Width: 73.5mm, Base Thickness: 19.1mm
• Weight: 777g
• Patterning: Natural mineral variation with soft flecking and hand-carved surface detail
• Lustre: Semi-matte polished finish
• Transparency: Opaque
• Mineral Family: Serpentine group
• Composition: Dense natural serpentine stone, commonly known as Springstone
• Mohs Hardness: Approximately 3–5.5
• Appearance: Pear-shaped stylised face with a prominent geometric nose, defined nostrils, small philtrum, and closed lips, on an integrated rectangular base
• Display Style: Suitable for shelves, consoles, sideboards, desks, pedestals, or display cabinets

Springstone Metaphysical Properties

Springstone is widely associated with grounding, protection, and emotional steadiness. It is a popular choice for spaces that benefit from a calmer, more settled energy and a greater sense of balance.

• Grounding support during busy or unsettled periods
• Emotional steadiness when life feels demanding or uncertain
• Protective energy that helps a space feel anchored and secure
• Inner resilience through a more rooted, supportive atmosphere
• Quiet reflection in spaces used for work, rest, or contemplation

Its abstract, mask-like form reinforces that quality, lending the piece a watchful, meditative presence that feels especially well suited to intentional, considered interiors.

History & Lore

Springstone is a richly coloured Zimbabwean serpentine, valued for its density, deep natural tone, and excellent carving quality. It has become closely associated with the tradition of Shona sculpture, where artists work with local stone to create pieces that feel rooted in material heritage while remaining distinctly contemporary in form. Its ability to hold crisp carved detail and flowing line, while taking a beautifully soft polish, makes it a natural choice for expressive figurative work.

The abstracted face and mask form are among the oldest subjects in art, prized for the way a handful of essential features — a nose, a mouth, a contour — can suggest emotion, identity, and presence without literal detail. In springstone, that presence gains weight and permanence. The dark, polished surface adds depth and quiet strength, making the simplest forms feel lasting rather than minimal.

Sourced ethically and worked entirely by hand, this carving carries both the Earth’s geological history and the skill of the artisan who shaped it—a piece ready to become a meaningful part of your own collection.