Lot 345: A Collection of Six African Hand Carved Soapstone Animal Figures and a Natural Marine Shell

A collection of six hand carved soapstone figures, likely of African origin, accompanied by a natural marine gastropod shell. The collection comprises five carved figures, crafted from soapstone or a similar soft stone, and one natural marine gastropod shell. The carved items include a fish, two rhinoceros figures (one full-bodied and one stylized with an integral opening), an elephant with a raised trunk, and a curved, flat abstract stone piece with a raised element. The stone pieces display a palette of light beige to reddish-brown tones with natural veining. The natural marine gastropod shell is white and spiky. A handwritten inscription “2-7-97 MY MOM” is visible on the reverse of the larger rhinoceros figure.