This is part of a stunning series of Pounamu Bowls (Ipu Kōhatu). This beautiful bowl is hand carved from a fabulous piece of Kawakawa Pounamu and will be a thoughtful taonga.
Ipu Kōhatu- Pounamu (greenstone) bowls, are exquisite, hand-carved taonga (treasures) crafted from New Zealand nephrite jade, often used for display, holding small treasures, or ceremonial purposes. Hand carved from South Island pounamu (mostly Kawakawa or Tangiwai), these bowls are shaped using diamond-tipped tools or traditional grinding techniques, often polished to highlight the stone's natural beauty and veining.
While often used for modern decorative art, traditionally in a cultural context, specific bowls were used to hold water for the whakanoa ritual—a process of cleansing to remove tapu (sacred restrictions) from people, allowing them to return to a noa (ordinary/free) state, particularly after visiting cemeteries or sacred spaces.
Kawakawa- is the most common variety of Pounamu. It comes in many shades - from strong, rich green to dark green - and often has small dark flecks, which add to its character. Named after the leaf of the Kawakawa. It is the main type used for jewellery purposes.
Hand Carved by Daryl Munro
Size 108mm long x 72mm wide 18mm 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.
