Moko Pounamu, Curving Feather wrapped baby Tui NZ Genuine Whale Tooth Rei Puta - Tui Manu

This is an incredible carving of a baby Tui Manu (bird) wrapped in a curling feather is exquisitely handcrafted from an impressive Whale Tooth. Carved from Goat Horn and 18ct gold the eyes are set into the tooth. An exceptional piece from a very talented artist.

Rei Puta are chiefly taonga traditionally carved from the teeth of Tohorā (whale). Rei Niho carved from pounamu maintains the beauty of the traditional form, symbolising the intimate connection between Maori and Tohorā.

Rei Niho(Eye Tooth) carved from Pounamu, maintains the beauty of the traditional form, symbolising the intimate connection between Maori and Tohorā. The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the Rei Puta (Pounamu whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the sperm whale (Paraoa) were highly prized because of their rarity.

Tūī are unique to New Zealand and belong to the honeyeater family, which means they feed mainly on nectar from flowers of native plants.

Tooth and Bone has always been a special medium for Māori artists, Whales are considered a taonga species, and represent abundance, richness and were regarded as chiefly animals.

Some tribes see whales as the descendants of Tangaroa, the god of the ocean and stranding’s are seen as gifts from Tangaroa and carving them is a way of honouring that gift. Whales possess a tapu (sacred) significance to Māori as both supernatural beings and as harbingers of personal change and spiritual growth. Tooth consists almost entirely of dentine.

Genuine Whale Tooth - Ethically sourced from the Chatham Islands.

Carved by Owen Mapp CNZM

Size 120mm long x 36mm wide x 32mm deep

This will be the exact piece you will receive in the photos, there may be a slight degree of colour variation based on different computer or device screen resolutions that you are viewing from.