A stunning Manaia carved from a gorgeous piece of Chatoyant Kahotea Pounamu. This piece has been skillfully carved to show the multiple bands of chatoyancy rippling across the lower part of the pendant - an incredibly rare and sought after feature in Greenstone and a beautiful thing to see in person.
Manaia
is a mythological creature in Māori culture and is a common motif in Māori carving and jewellery. The Manaia is usually depicted as having the head of a bird and the tail of a fish and the body of a man, though it is sometimes depicted as a bird, a serpent, or a human figure in profile. The Manaia is traditionally believed to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits, and its symbol is used as a guardian against evil.
Kahotea
– Pounamu from the Greenstone, West Coast area. A type streaked or flecked with white. The name Kahotea derives from Kaho, meaning light coloured tea (white or clear).
Hand Carved by Des Hetherington
Size 91mm long x 60mm 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.
