A wonderful Pekapeka Manaia (Guardian) carved from Inanga Pounamu. This stunning pendant has the eyes and mouth of the Pekapeka detailed in red wax. The Greenstone shows the striking mild hues of the Inanga type with dark flecks and features through the stone - a marvelous carving by Des Hetherington and a fabulous taonga.
Peka Peka
is a very old Māori Design representing a Native NZ bat, it is often classed as a Manaia, which are traditionally believed to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits, and its symbol is used as a guardian against evil.
Inanga
– This pounamu takes its name from a freshwater fish native to New Zealand. It is pale and often transparent, like the young of the Inanga fish. It is pearly white to grey green in colour, and ranges from translucent to quite opaque. It can change colour over time, developing a light olive tint as it ages and oxidises - Highly prized by the Māori and the desired material for making Mere and Patu.
Hand carved by Des Hetherington
Size 52mm long x 82mm wide x 11mm thick
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.
