This Hei Matau is hand carved from Inanga Pounamu, showing soft silvery-green tones with gentle natural movement through the stone. The form is clean and well balanced, giving the piece a sense of flow and protection associated with the traditional fish hook shape. Finished with a smooth polish, it has a calm, refined presence.
Hei Matau - Fishhook- Originally Māori have been fishermen. Their main food source was the sea, so a fishhook of high quality was an unbelievably valuable item to own. The hook became a symbol of prosperity, abundance, good health, power, authority and respect for the sea and its life in it. They also provide good luck and safety while travelling across water.
Inanga- 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 Ross Crump
Size 65mm long x 38mm wide x 9mm 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.
