This Kapeu pendant is hand carved from Kahurangi Pounamu, showing bright clear green tones with soft internal movement through the stone. The long, tapered form is clean and elegant, giving the piece a refined, traditional presence with a contemporary lightness. Finished to a smooth polish, it carries clarity, balance, and graceful simplicity.
Kapeu
features a softly curved lower edge, while the upper part can be straight or slightly convex. A single hole near the top allows it to be suspended from a cord and rest against the wearer’s chest. Traditionally crafted from pounamu, bone, or occasionally wood, the kapeu was a sign of high rank and status within Māori society. It embodied the mana (prestige and power) of the wearer and was likely reserved for chiefs and important individuals. The act of wearing a kapeu signified leadership, authority, and the ability to protect and provide for one’s people. Kapeu made from pounamu were sometimes used by traditional healers, believed to soothe the gums of teething infants.
Kahurangi- Genuine West Coast Greenstone from the Marsden, West Coast area. Kahurangi is the rarest variety of pounamu. It is highly translucent and often comes in vivid shades of green. Small, feather-like markings in the stone can give a cloud effect – although to be classed as Kahurangi, this effect must not reduce the stone’s clarity. The word Kahurangi also indicates nobility and refers to precious jewels and held in high esteem by Māori.
Hand Carved by Andy Ruskin
Size 78mm long x 27mm wide x 4.5mm 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.
