Hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone by African artisans, this elephant tea-light is handpainted in a lusterous black finish is a sleek and modern style is perfect for every decor. Use to hold a candle, crystals, or even a small succulent. Each piece has gone through multiple stages of hand-sanding and hand-waxing, giving the soapstone a satiny finish. Soapstone is a soft, natural mineral from the earth, making it easy to carve into many forms. Handle with care to avoid breakage. Each sculpture is artfully hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone, found only in the hills of southwestern Kenya. Mining the soapstone from surface hills is a labor-intensive process, using little to no machinery. Laborers works with shovels, picks, axes and machetes to carve out large soapstone chucks, which are then carved into beautiful art.