This Kaka Poria is hand-carved from Hokitika River Tangiwai Pounamu. The Pounamu shows beautiful deep green semi-translucence and a fine natural texture with a satin finish. With bound cord finishing the piece, this is a wonderful taonga.
Kaka Pōria- Pet birds, were tethered to a perch using an intricately carved leg ring called a kākā pōria. Usually made from pounamu or bone (sometimes the bone of a slain enemy), kākā pōria were difficult to fashion, and thus prized family heirlooms. When the pōria wasn’t attached to a kākā’s leg, it could be worn as a pendant or earring.
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.
Hand Carved by Dean Hetherington
Size 70mm diameter x 10mm 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.
