A stunning Hei Matau from a gorgeous piece of Tangiwai Pounamu, a fabulous Matau with the rind of the stone on one side and a mother if pearl eye at the bottom and a Kahurangi Pounamu notched fin set in the side. This gorgeous design will be an excellent taonga.
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.
Tangiwai
is the most ancient form of pounamu. It is bowenite rock, which is different in composition to the more common nephrite. A translucent to transparent olive green to bluish-green variety of serpentine most Tangiwai is sourced from two isolated areas at Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), Poison Bay and Anita Bay and deposits found in Nelson. Tangiwai takes its name from the tears that come from great sorrow. Tangi means "to cry" and Wai means "water", or "tears". Koko-Tangiwai, the longer name for this stone, refers to a deep sorrow that is never completely healed. There are many sad stories that tell of Tangiwai pounamu's origins.
Mother of pearl
– The iridescent inside lining of a mollusc shell, commonly found in oysters, freshwater mussels, and abalone (paua).It is strong, resilient, and very iridescent.This multicoloured iridescence is caused by the way the light reflects on the layers of the shell. A protection shell/stone that brings the gentle healing power of the sea to you.As a stress relieving stone, it brings relaxation and soothing to its wearer and the ability to calm emotion.Mother of Pearl also stimulates intuition, imagination, sensitivity, and adaptability.
Carved by Marshall Johnson
Size 62mm Long x 44mm 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.
