Moko Pounamu Large Rei Puta Paraoa Genuine Whale Bone Carving - Waimauku

This large Rei Puta Whale Tooth pendant by Owen Mapp, has an Unaunahi like design carved beneath the polished surface of the Tooth. Mapp’s contribution to Aotearoa’s carving heritage is in evidence in this wonderful piece which enhances the individuality and natural depth of the material. Finished with a black cord bound at the top of the piece, this will be an amazing addition to any collection.

Carved from Whale Tooth, this large Rei Puta pendant by master carver Owen Mapp shows flowing lines which cut beneath the polished surface describing Unaunahi like patterns in the Tooth. Revealing the natural sheen of the material and bound with a woven cord, this substantial piece exemplifies Mapp’s extraordinary skill, creativity and his enduring influence on Aotearoa’s carving tradition.

Rei Puta Paraoa- a traditional Māori pendant carved from Whale Tooth. Worn as a symbol of strength, leadership, and prestige, it was historically treasured by chiefs and skilled navigators. Each piece carries the natural beauty and mana of its material, making it a highly valued taonga in Māori culture.

Whale Bone has always been a special medium for Māori artists. Whales are considered a taonga species and represent abundance and richness. They were regarded as chiefly animals, with some tribes also regarding whales as the descendants of Tangaroa, the god of the ocean. Strandings 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.

Unaunahi- a pattern in te ao Māori, characterised by repeating crescent shapes or fish scales, signifies abundance, prosperity and health, particularly in relation to the ocean and its resources. It represents the connection between Māori and the sea, their reliance on it for sustenance, and their spiritual connection to Tangaroa, the god of the sea.

Genuine Whale Tooth

Size 137mm long x 50mm wide x 16mm 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.