This Mako Mau (Shark Tooth) is hand carved from Inanga Pounamu, showing soft green-grey tones. Serrated detailing runs down each side of the pendant and the rind of the stone is stippled like shark skin. A wonderful and detailed taonga.
Mako Mau
Shark tooth is a symbol of male strength, proud masculinity and potency. It offers strength, guile, protection and guidance to the wearer. As a talisman it brings affluence and good fortune to the wearers life and it is believed to protect the individual from evil spirits, shark attacks and water accidents., they have also been worn by Polynesians and Māori since the earliest exploration of Polynesia. They connect to the spirit of the shark, its ferocity and as an abundant food source.
Inanga
– This 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.
Carved by Dave Curtis
Size 55mm long x 36mm wide 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.
