York's Shona Gallery is proud to present "Crocodile," carved from one piece of luxurious ebony. The crocodile is regarded as a sacred animal in parts of Africa, a spiritual being that offers protection and wards off evil. In Gambia it is stamped on the country's currency, and the sacred crocodile pool of Kachikaly serves as a prayer ground for visitors.
"Crocodile" was handmade in Kenya in 1987 and is one of the few ebony pieces in our collection. The tradition of carving ebony in Kenya grows rarer every year, which makes a piece like this one increasingly difficult to find.
