African Hippo “mvuu” Shona Leopard Rock Stone Sculpture Handmade in Zimbabwe!

A cute hippo, hand carved in Leopard rock which is a type of Serpentine stone from Zimbabwe.Serpentine stone boasts an array of colors that cannot be described. No one stone is alike. The reason for this is the many mineral inclusions within the stone giving its unique color variation. The name “Serpentine” comes from an association with the characteristics of a serpents skin. Serpentine is the most commonly used stone because of the varying hardness for both master sculptors, as well as his apprentice. Serpentine rates between 2.5 to 5.5, depending on mineral inclusions, on the universally used Mohs hardness scale, a diamond rates at 10. Gallery retail on this would be over $300.