Hand-carved Olive Wood Serving Spoon Set with Batik Inlay

Artfully carved in Kenya from a single piece of wild olive wood using simple hand tools, this rustic pair of wooden salad servers showcase a beautiful natural wood-grain, contrasted by handles featuring traditional batik African art in a bone inlay design. 

These are made by hand using rudimentary hand tools, so no two are identical. Variations are to be appreciated and enjoyed. Inlay design on handle is from highly polished and sanitized cow bone, sourced from natural causes. The bone is "batiked," an age old art process used in Africa. The patterns are applied by placing wax on the white bone and dipping the bone into a dark brown/black dye, resulting in the beautiful African mud cloth designs.

Due to the hand carved nature, actual size may vary. Each piece is approximately 8 to 9 inches long and 2.5 to 3 inches wide. The handle design is hand painted. Batik designs will vary. 

Care: Hand wash only. Periodically treat wood with food-grade mineral oil or olive oil to maintain their beauty and luster.

2-Piece Set

Artisan Information

Carving is a tradition in Kenya with the children learning the craft from their parents. Carved by hand using only rudimentary hand tools, items are crafted from pieces of olive wood, mahogany, and mpingo, or "African Ebony."

While wood carving provides the major income for many in the Machakos area, other craftspeople earn a living by further enhancing the products including painting items and carving discarded animal bone for inlays. Often the bone is "batiked" by placing wax on the white bone and dipping the bone a dark brown/black dye, resulting in African mud cloth designs.

Your purchase of this item helps provide sustainable income for families in underdeveloped countries.