Are soapstone carvings valuable?

Are soapstone carvings valuable?

APPRAISER: The value of this is about $4,000 to $6,000.

What is Inuit soapstone?

Soapstone (or steatite) A soft metamorphic stone used by Inuit for thousands of years, most notably to make qulliq (oil lamps). Found throughout the Arctic and introduced to Kinngait as an art-making medium in the 1950s by government advisor James Houston.

What is soapstone carving?

Soapstone carving is an ancient practice dating back more than 3000 years ago. An art gallery has commissioned you to create a soapstone sculpture reflecting a specific animal or Inukshuk. The final work must show clear evidence of an influence from the Northern Canadian style/period.

How do you clean soapstone carvings?

Cleaning Your Soapstone Mix just a few drops of mild detergent with water in a small dish. Dip the soft cloth in the mixture and rub it over the surface of your carving. Rinse the cloth out so it is free from detergent, and clean off the entire statue to get rid of residue. Let your carving air dry.

Is there asbestos in soapstone?

Most stone dealers are aware of this problem, and only carry stone that is known to be asbestos-free. Some soapstone contains silica, which can cause silicosis when inhaled. This should likewise be avoided, but is not as serious a hazard as asbestos.

How can you tell soapstone from alabaster?

The primary carving stones are Italian Alabaster, either translucent white (where light will pass through the stone) or opaque white (where light will not penetrate the stone), and Soapstone (talc block) which will be mostly light and dark green in color.

Is soapstone more expensive than granite?

Soapstone costs roughly $70 to $120 per square foot installed, making it pricier than many other natural stone countertop materials. Also a high-quality natural stone, granite will not cost you as much soapstone. The material typically costs in the range of $40 to $100 per square foot installed.

Is soapstone hard to carve?

Soapstone carving is not difficult, but time consuming. Not many tools are needed, and you can do it all by hand.

How do I sell my Inuit carvings?

Second, advertise your collection of Inuit sculptures on Kijiji and Craigslist. It won’t cost you anything and you’ll get a world wide exposure. Try to take good pictures, it may even worth going to a photographer and getting professional pictures done. Third, contact auction houses that sell Inuit art.

What kind of oil do you use for soapstone carving?

Place a few drops of mineral oil on a soft cloth, and begin to gently rub it over the surface of the carving. Remember still to support it fully while working on it. Keep adding mineral oil to the cloth when needed, and keep going until the piece has been completely covered.

What happens if you snort soapstone?

Prolonged/repeated inhalation of talc dust may cause talcosis. Pure talcosis usually isn’t too severe, however talc is sometimes contaminated with quartz (may cause silicosis, lung cancer) and asbestos (may cause asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer) which can make things much worse than talc alone.

What happens if you inhale soapstone?

Serpentine, soapstone, and greenstone may contain asbestos, which can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and stomach and intestinal cancers.

Is Jade a soapstone?

Description. Like black soapstone, jade soapstone has a deep and dark color, rich in its elegance. Its sleek appearance matches its smoothly honed finish. Jade soapstone’s cool color makes it great for countertops and fireplaces, as well as backsplashes and poolside bars.

Can you use Clorox wipes on soapstone?

Believe it or not, bleach will not harm it either. However, Bleach is not needed, since the soapstone’s natural high density will not harbor bacteria of any kind. Simple soapstone and water or vinegar and water. Will work wonderfully well and clean any surface bacteria just as well as bleach or harsh cleaners.