Related Products
Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, skilled basket-weavers in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality sisal baskets inspired by nature. Tightly woven, these all natural baskets can be used for storing fruit and vegetables, serving bread, organizing toys or just hanging on your wall to add for unique home decoration.
Size: Small 10"D x 2.5"T; Large 12"D x 3"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of these items, some variation may occur.
About the Artisans:
It is typical for many women in developing countries to depend solely on their husbands for financial needs, but Songa Designs International is changing this dynamic. By working for Songa, under-resourced women are encouraged to pursue economic independence, simply by using skills acquired through everyday life. Songa Designs provides jobs for over 150 women who in turn negotiate their own salaries and earn fair wages, which enables them to buy land, health insurance or send their children to school for the first time. Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, the skilled artisans in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality accessories inspired by nature. Each handmade item is tightly woven with all-natural materials such as banana leaf fiber or sisal plants.
These delightful sculptures are carved from a single piece of wood, then hand-painted with detailed coat patterns, facial features, and hooves.
Each animal ponders a book that contains a hand-written alphabet. The sculptures measure 10"H and make wonderful gifts for teachers, readers, and young children learning their ABCs.
Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, some variation may occur. Fair trade from Kenya.
About the Artisans:
We work with an amazing co-op in Kenya, the Gikomba Wood Carving Cooperative, a group of woodcarvers of all ages who work in an open-air workshop in Nairobi. This environmentally-responsible group takes care to legally procure all types of African wood used in their products, and they are skilled at using all parts of the tree in their artwork.

These tall giraffe sculptures are made from discarded flip flops that have been hand-formed, carved, and cemented together by artisans in Kenya.
Recycled sculptures are a colorful and eco-friendly way to recycle flip flops that would otherwise litter urban Nairobi or sit in landfills. We work directly with a small co-op of Kenyan artisans who collect, clean and transform foam footwear into bold modern safari art sculptures.
Each sculpture is one-of-a-kind and will vary from the examples pictured, due to the handmade nature and recycled materials used. [Click to read our Statement on Handmade Variation]
Size: approximately 38-44" tall x 21" wide x 11" deep; size varies due to the handmade nature of this item.
Additional shipping charges may apply to this oversized item. Visit our Shipping FAQ.
About the Artisans:
In Kenya, artisans convert discarded flip flops into one-of-a-kind art. Operating from a small Nairobi workshop, the dedicated group offers employment and creative opportunities while also keeping flip flop foam out of the landfills.
Talented women in rural Rwanda utilize abundant banana and sisal fibers to create useful baskets for the home. Woven with an eye-catching black and white design, this all natural basket can be used for storing fruit and vegetables, serving bread, organizing toys or adorning the wall.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Size: 12"D x 2"T
About the Artisans:
Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, the skilled artisans in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality accessories inspired by nature. Each handmade item is tightly woven with all-natural materials such as banana leaf fiber or sisal plants.
Sized to hold a sleeve of crackers, this wooden African bowl adds natural, handmade beauty to your dining table.
Each bowl is hand-carved by Kamba people living in the bush of Eastern Kenya. The bowl's simple shape allows for the the dramatic grain of the olivewood tree to shine through.
Measures 12"L x 3"W x 1.25"T. Size may vary slightly. For best care, hand wash and occasionally rub with olive oil.
About the Artisans:
We work with representatives with Kamba artists to obtain these hand-carved works of beauty derived from the olive wood tree. The artisans benefit greatly from the sale of their works, wtih marked improvements being seen both for the individual and the community.
[back_in_stock]30[/back_in_stock]
African artisans carve these unique servers from a single piece of olive wood, and add "twist" to each server.
The server handles are made from highly polished and sanitized cow bone that has been etched with African line art. These servers are easy to grip and use, and add rustic beauty to any dish.
Bowl not included. Servers measure 10.5"L x 3.5"W. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur. Hand wash.
About the Artisans:
We work with representatives of Kamba artists in Kenya to obtain these hand-carved works of beauty derived from the olive wood tree. The artisans benefit greatly from the sale of olive wood products, with marked improvements being seen for the individual, their families, the community. The olive wood tree is sacred to Kenyans and appreciated worldwide for its beautiful grain patterns and durability.
These colorful giraffes crafted from red, yellow, white and blue oil drums will brighten any space you choose! Each sculpture made from recycled metal is finished with varnish to protect against the elements, although weathering is to be expected if exposed over time. Because this is a handcrafted item, each one is unique; colors will vary, and size may vary by several inches.
Size: [Small] 8"L x 4"W x 32"T [Medium] 42"T [Large] 18"L x 8"W x 60"T [Extra Large] 26"L x 8"W x 72"T
Extra shipping fees are required for the Large and Extra Large sizes. Please scroll down for more information, and email us at info@swahilimodern.com with any questions.
About Shipping:
Shipping for large sculptures requires a pallet and cost starts at $200. After purchase, we will contact you via email regarding the additional shipping charges.
Shipping from our location in Oregon to the Northeast is most expensive, while shipping to California is least expensive. Shipping includes the cost for using a lift gate. Costs can sometimes be reduced if you can provide a business address.
Multiple sculptures can be shipped on a single pallet, typically costing the same as shipping for a single sculpture on a pallet.
We can provide a shipping quote at any time during the ordering process. Please email us at info@swahilimodern.com with your full shipping address to get started.
Once you have placed your order and agreed to the shipping cost, we will send you a Paypal invoice. The total will subtract any shipping you have already paid during the checkout process.
About the Artisans:
Artisans at the Tonderai Metal Works in Zimbabwe use recycled materials and discarded oil drums to create stunning works of art and feature one-of-a-kind detailing.

Store your laundry or your children's toys in this stylish hamper, or simply use to enhance your home decoration!
These hampers, handwoven by an association of more than 100 rural Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal, bring beautiful modern artisan craftsmanship to homes around the world. These useful baskets are woven in the coil style by binding dried cattail stalks with aqua, brown, and white plastic strips salvaged from a Dakar mat factory. The combination of natural and synthetic materials beautifully displays modern African artistry.
Measures 19"D x 30"T. Sizes may very up to an 1" plus or minus, due to the handmade nature of these baskets.
Using strands of natural sisal, women living in remote areas of rural Kenya earn income by crafting beautifully simple baskets that can be used for chic storage in any room of the home. Sisal is a natural fiber extracted from an agave plant, so the baskets are coveted for their durability and ability to be re-shaped.
Sold individually. Choose from Medium or Large.
Approximate measurements: Medium 14" wide x 10" tall (to top of basket), 14" tall including handles. Large 16" wide x 10" tall (to top of basket), 14" tall including handles. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, some variation may occur.
About the Artisans:
In the rural Kenyan countryside around the city of Kitui, women specialize in weaving the tough fibers of the agave sisalana plant. Sisal's spiky leaf clusters erupt from a dry landscape and often requires long journeys to gather. Once woven, these baskets are sold to local and international markets. Singing, dancing, and chatting make weaving for export an enjoyable social event!

Wood carvers in Kenya transform richly grained wild olive wood into this condiment dish with matching spoons. Use it on the table for spices, dipping sauces, or other condiments. A beautiful tree prized for its richly grained wood, wild olive is legally sourced by carving cooperatives. Artisans carve large and small pieces, from salad bowls down to spice spoons, to use the entire tree without waste.
Measures 5.5"L x 2"W. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur. Hand wash.
About the Artisans:
We work with representatives of Kamba artists in Kenya to obtain these hand-carved works of beauty derived from the olive wood tree. The artisans benefit greatly from the sale of olive wood products, with marked improvements being seen for the individual, their families, the community. The olive wood tree is sacred to Kenyans and appreciated worldwide for its beautiful grain patterns and durability.
Perfect for your favorite chef or baker, these indispensable bowls are wonderful for holding spices and ingredients while cooking. The bowls can also double for holding dips or household items. Each bowl is hand-carved from solid olive wood and rests easily in the hand.
The Kamba carvers who craft these bowls travel into the bush in groups for safety and set up a makeshift camp at the site of the felled tree. Together, the carvers sit down and rough in the basic carving for items on their respective orders. Having a variety of items to work on allows the carvers to better utilize the tree. From large items like these bowls down to small pieces like earrings, the carvers hew a collection of beautiful shapes.
Large bowl measures 4"D x 2"T. Medium bowl measures 3"D x 1.5"T. Small bowl measures 2.5"D x 1.25"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur.
Made from olive wood. To care for this natural serving piece, hand-wash in warm water and rub lightly with a coat of olive or food safe mineral oil to ensure years of use.
About the Artisans:
We work with representatives of Kamba artists in Kenya to obtain these hand-carved works of beauty derived from the olive wood tree. The artisans benefit greatly from the sale of their works, with marked improvements being seen for the individual, their families, the community.