Moko Pounamu Double Pikorua (Twist) Genuine Whale Bone Carving - Whakauae

A wonderful Double Pikorua (Twist) carved from beautifully featured Whale Bone with an Unaunahi pattern on the lower part of the piece.

Pikorua- Double and triple Twists, resembles two intertwined pikopiko ferns. representing the paths of life and love or friendship and eternity. Double twists refer to the bond between peoples or culture rather than individuals - traditionally given as an offering of friendship between two different tribes.

Whale 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 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 bone - Ethically sourced from the Chatham Islands.

Hand Carved by Malcolm Hooper

Size 44mm long x 19mm wide x 8.6mm 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.