This piece is carved from genuine Inanga Pounamu, a prized variety of New Zealand greenstone known for its soft, misty translucency and elegant tonal movement. Unlike darker Kawakawa stone, Inanga often carries lighter cloudy greens and smoky variations that create depth and natural character throughout the carving.
The stone displays beautiful organic patterning across both the front and back, giving the pendant a strong natural presence while maintaining a refined and smooth finish. The addition of the luminous pāua shell eye
creates a striking contrast against the softer tones of the pounamu.The reverse side reveals beautiful natural marbling and earthy inclusions, making this piece feel deeply connected to the raw beauty of Aotearoa.
Strong yet refined, this pendant sits comfortably between traditional symbolism and contemporary wearable art.
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.
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.
Hand Carved by Josh Manning
Size 53mm long x 77mm wide x 7mm 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.
