What began as a simple interest has grown into a profound appreciation. Our initial piece was a gift from a friend - a mask from Ghana - received over 20 years ago. This gift sparked a deep affection for the art and the varied cultures of Africa.

In an effort to include items that will appeal to all tastes, we've made every attempt to diversify the gallery. We search for pieces that are not typically available. In a continuing effort to feature the unusual, our collection contains items from all 53 countries on the African coast, reflecting as best we can the exquisite craftsmanship of the continent. With each new shipment comes the discovery of a people and their land. We look forward to these discoveries, and the many treasures each country and its people have to offer. To our family, Cherish the Past is an opportunity to enhance our lives and the lives of those around us.

Some of the other items we carry:

Soapstone

Soapstone is a soft, talc rock composed of serpentine, talc and carbonates; it is called soapstone due to its soft, soapy consistency.

Soapstone (Kisii Stone), Kissi stone is a form of soapstone quarried in the Kisii District of Nyanza Province, Western Kenya. Sometimes the stones come from the Tabaka area of Western Kenya in the hills above Lake Victoria.

The people of Kisii, also called gusii or Kosova, are a Mantu speaking people and inhabit the area between Lake Victoria and the Tanzaniana border. Carving is done traditionally by men although women and children may assist in the washing, sanding, waxing and polishing of the sculpture. Production methods are simple: carvers use a variety of tools such as chisels, hammers, pick axes, hacksaws and knives.

Our carvings are either natural , which have a marble-like appearance or painted and incised (etched). The natural items have been smoothed and polished and the colored items illustrate how the semi-porous stone absorbs the dyes or paints.

Shea Butter

The Shea (Karite) tree grows in the grasslands of West Africa. It will often grow to a height of 50 feet or more; and produces shea nuts from which natural shea butter is extracted. The tree grows slowly, taking up to 20 years to produce fruit.

The nuts of the shea tree are normally harvested during the rainy season and sun dried over an extended period of time afterwards. Once sufficiently dried, the nuts are crushed and pounded into a powder. The powder is then boiled for four to five days to create the Shea butter. The process is the same that has been used and perfected through the generations in West Africa.

Pure African Shea Butter has been used for generations in Africa to keep skin soft and shiny.

Benefits of Shea Butter:

• Heal scars, burns, and stretch marks.
• Prevents ashy skin, chapping, and skin rashes.
• An ideal hair dressing that protects the scalp from sores and rashes.
• Prevents weak hair from breaking, or thinning out.
• Fortifies cuticles and nails.
• Helps drain toxins from sore muscles: perfect for sports participants.
• Use after shaving to prevent irritation, and to restore skins natural luster.
• Ideal for dry skin, dermatitis, eczema, and sunburn.
• Rejuvenates skin pores and adds elasticity to skin.
• Relieves scalp dandruff.
• Fortifies cuticles and nails.
• Massage Shea butter into areas affected by arthritis, joint pains, or other muscular aches.
• Firms up aging skin and helps clear wrinkles.
• Naturally contains vitamins A and E.

Ordering links appears on the Gallery page, or email us for more information.