Two magnificent handcrafted Hei Tiki from an exceptionally rare piece of Blue Inanga Pounamu, this stone is incredibly hard and along with the stunning colours and markings combine to make these rare and unique, and showcase the rich array of colours our wonderful pounamu comes in. These already magical carvings are further enhanced by their incredible size and the paua shell eyes. An amazing pair of taonga, carved by a master carver.
These Fabulous Pieces are available individually and the prices are set out below or at the special price of $11,000 together.
Hei Tiki- The exact meaning behind the stylized design is deeply rooted in traditional Māori pakiwaitara (stories) and has been interpreted in a few different ways. In Māori legend, Tiki was the first mortal man created by Tāne (the god of the forest), making the carving a symbol of humankind's origins and lineage. Another widely held belief is that the figure represents Hine-te-iwaiwa, the moon goddess and patroness of fertility and childbirth. Because of its shape, many also interpret the design as a stylization of the human embryo. The distinct carved head tilted to the side is believed to symbolize a newborn child or spiritual wisdom. Additionally, the figures frequently display a blend of both male (Tāne) and female (Wāhine) features, representing the balance of life's energies.
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 Des Hetherington
Size North 149mm long x 92mm wide x 19mm thick $7000
Size South 127mm long x 68mm wide x 21mm thick $5000
These will be the exact pieces 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.
