Item: VC-386

Black Kisii Elephant Soapstone Bookends

Name: Black Kisii Elephant Soapstone Bookends
Brand: Buddha Groove
SKU: VC-386
Price: 88.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$88.00

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Hand-carved from Kisii soapstone, this pair of bookends renders the elephant as pure form — one sweeping line standing in for ear, brow, and trunk, finished with white hand-painted dot detailing. In East African symbolism, the elephant is associated with strength, patient wisdom, and loyalty. Set them at either end of a bookshelf, desk, or reading nook, or give as a housewarming.

Details

Design: A pair of abstract elephant-form bookends carved in solid black, each piece capturing a single ear, brow, and trunk in sculptural lines with hand-painted white dot detailing and a zigzag ear edge
Size: Each bookend measures approximately 6.5 x 3.5 x .275 inches (0.275 in thick); sold as a matched pair
Material: Kisii soapstone, hand-carved and finished with natural black dye and white hand-painted accents
Included: Notched base sized to cradle book spines; sold as a matched pair
Care: Dust with a soft, dry cloth. Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture to protect the natural dye
Origin: Hand-carved in Kenya from stone quarried in the Tabaka Hills of Western Kenya
Note: Each piece is hand-carved and hand-dyed by artisans, so slight differences in shape, size, and pattern occur naturally and are part of the craft

Meaning & Intention

In Kisii carving tradition, the elephant is rendered not as a literal portrait but as pure form — a single sweep of stone that stands in for ear, brow, and trunk. You recognize the animal by feeling before detail.

Across East African symbolism, the elephant stands for strength held with patience, memory that runs deep, and wisdom earned through age. Traveling in family herds, it has long been an emblem of loyalty, protection, and the kind of steadiness that anchors a household.

Quarried by hand in the Tabaka Hills, each piece also holds the story of generations of Kisii artisans who shape this dark, soft stone using methods passed down through their families — strength that never needs to announce itself.

Essence & Elements

Intention: Strength, wisdom, balance

Chakra connection: Root

Symbol: Elephant — patience, memory, loyalty, protection

Ideal for: Book lovers, elephant enthusiasts, and admirers of handcrafted African artistry; a housewarming or office gift

Suggested mantra: I stand grounded and steady

Questions & Guidance

Are they heavy enough to hold up a full row of books?

Yes. Solid soapstone gives them the natural heft to support a dense, bulky book collection without sliding.

Where is the soapstone sourced and carved?

The stone is quarried by hand in the Tabaka Hills of Western Kenya, where it is known locally as Kisii stone, then hand-carved by artisans using traditional techniques.

Where do they look best in a room?

Try them at either end of a favorite shelf, a home office, a library corner, or a reading nook. The pair also anchors a desk or credenza well.

What customers say about Buddha Groove

This piece is new to reviews. Here is what customers say about shopping with us — over 21,000 reviews, averaging 4.89 out of 5.

Beautiful merchandise!!! I love my beaded bracelets and everything else, so far, that I've ordered!!

Everything I ever order ed was in good condition .

I have been satisfied with any product I have purchased.

I had been waiting to order my plaque and got different ones. Both are very good quality and make me smile.just what I needed. Shipping was just a little slower than I expected.

Love love

Love love love

Really cool

Really cool, very decorative.

Great gift for my wife

Great gift for my wife.

Loved it

Loved it. Primitive art

High quality and intricate

High quality and intricate design

A beautiful and high quality box that my gift recipient absolutely loves

A beautiful and high quality box that my gift recipient absolutely loves. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to make a hit with a nice gift.

Beautiful, love it!

Beautiful, love it!

Too big

The boxes were much bigger than I thought they would be and seemed to be lacking in the quality I'm used to seeing in your products. I have returned both boxes via UPS and am awaiting my refund.

Lovely and

Lovely and quality!

Lovely item on display

Lovely item on display.

beautiful sound

beautiful sound, I was very excited to to gift this Unique piece

beautiful sound

It’s so beautiful and peaceful

I love the gentleness of this piece

I love the gentleness of this piece. Brings me a sense of calm whenever I pass it.

Love

Love it

Beautiful!

Beautiful! Although larger than I expected…

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They were a gift for a friend and they are beautiful

They were a gift for a friend and they are beautiful .

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Just the right size. Beautiful.

Understated design, well made

I wanted a simple reminder to take a moment to breathe throughout the day. This ring tells me to do just that. It's solid stainless steel, so it's durable. The embossing (engraving?) is clear and consistent from one letter to the next.

Unique and very dainty

Unique and very dainty.

Loved it

Love this pot, holds all my incense now

Beautiful Piece

I love everything about this pendant. The design and the message align with my spiritual philosophy and path, and it is a perfect size for me. I look forward to incorporating its kinetic properties into my meditation practice.

Buddah Groove Does it Again!

This tee shirt is lovely! This print is perfect, as is the size & quality of the material. This is my 5th order from Buddah Groove I look forward to many more!!