Moko Pounamu Koruru NZ Genuine Kawakawa Greenstone - Ohau

An incredible Koruru hand carved from a fabulous piece of Kawakawa Pounamu, a wonderful taonga for someone who is connected to their whakapapa.

This piece is carved from genuine Kawakawa Pounamu, known for its deep, earthy green tones and natural strength. The stone carries subtle variations, with soft marbling and organic inclusions that give it a raw, grounded character. The addition of pāua shell inlay brings contrast and life, catching light with flashes of iridescent colour that enhance the form.

Koruru are architectural features on large whare tupuna or wharenui (meeting houses) that join the two-front facing maihi (barge boards) at the top apex. A koruru's face is also the face of the represented tupuna (ancestor) embodied in the carved constructed form of the whare tupuna. Many whare whakairo are named after ancestors. The building is regarded as an outstretched body. The koruru (gable head) is the face of the ancestor, the maihi (bargeboards) the arms, the kūwaha (door) the mouth, the tāhuhu (ridgepole) the spine, and the heke (rafters) the ribs.

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 in gem purposes.

Carved by Josh Manning

Size 80mm long x 42mm wide x 20mm 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.