sleek sculpture

Carved by hand from sleek African ebony, five ducklings swim together. Ghana's Francis Agbete names the set Kpakpa fome — "the duck family" in the Ewe language. "We should know we all belong to a family," he says. "These carvings remind each one of it."

Carving sleek African sese wood, Anna Yawson creates a graceful duck. The handpainted image features richly textured aluminum on the wings. The artisan names her design Kpakpa – the Ewe word for "duck."

Eliciting sleek shapes from fragrant cedar wood, George Obeng depicts a parent and child. He merges the two shapes into one single being and names the inspiring sculpture Kyere Wo Do. The phrase means "Show Your Love" in Ghana's Akan language.

Peten Wood Artisan Sculptors create a sleek modern design for a kitchen classic. They carve the ladle from jobillo wood by hand, featuring a sinuous handle. The woods' natural brown to dark red and golden grain accentuates the aesthetic harmony within the ladle's design.

Hand wash with soap and water. Never use a dishwasher or expose the wood to heat sources or water, as they could cause it to warp. To renew the shine, polish the wood with vegetable oil and a soft cloth.