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Tiny Tin Chameleon
Tiny Tin Chameleon Front View
Tiny Tin Chameleon Close Up

Tiny Tin Chameleon

Sale price$10.00
SKU: PTI-CH

The chameleon symbolizes use of color as camouflage, survival, patience, and using the sun as a source of power. Due to its ability to change color in order to blend in with its environment, the chameleon is a common symbol of transformation. According to the beliefs of the Senufo people of Ivory Coast a chameleon is one of the five animals present at the creation of the world. Many tribes of Democratic Republic of Congo (f. Zaire) regard a chameleon as a god, who can appear in different aspects of life and always shows his knowledge and great wisdom. Old tin cans and other scraps of metal from businesses in the industrial area of Harare are turned into these delightful sculptures by these artists using snips, pliers, and hammers.


Height: 2.5"
Length: 4.5"
Width: 2"
Artist:  Joseph Thomas, painted by Yeukai Tanyara
Made In: Zimbabwe
.


Material

Recycled old tin cans

Dimension

See product description

Product Care Instructions

Wipe clean with a dry cloth

Origin

Zimbabwe

Time to make

4 hours
Tiny Tin Chameleon
Tiny Tin Chameleon Sale price$10.00

meet the maker

Metal Sculptors of Zimbabwe

📍Harare, Zimbabwe

" A remarkable story of creativity, resilience, and generational craftsmanship"

Founded in 1986 by the five Mukankha brothers, the Improved Arts Metal Sculptors Project is a remarkable story of creativity, resilience, and generational craftsmanship. Through their artistic talent, the brothers built a sustainable livelihood that allowed them to provide opportunities for their families that they themselves did not have growing up.

Using simple hand tools—snips, pliers, and hammers—they transform sheets of tin into playful sculptural creatures full of character and charm. Each piece is then individually hand-painted in vibrant patterns by artists from Zimbabwe’s Weya community, making every sculpture a truly one-of-a-kind work of art. While some of the founding brothers have since passed, the legacy continues through Norman and Moses, who now mentor the next generation of younger family members, ensuring this distinctive craft continues to thrive.