A beautifully carved Hei Matau from soft toned Inanga pounamu. The stone displays gentle pale green colouring with delicate cloudy variations and subtle natural inclusions that give the piece a calm, almost misty appearance. The smooth flowing hook design highlights the translucent quality of the Inanga, allowing light to softly move through the stone. With its elegant form and natural character, this carving celebrates the quiet beauty of this treasured New Zealand pounamu.
Hei Matau(Fishhook) - Originally Maori have been fishermen. Their main food source was the sea, so a fishhook of high quality was a very 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 Katene Campbell
Size 80mm Long x 40m wide x 8mm 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.
