A wonderful example of a Manaia realised from Kahotea Pounamu - this piece has been carved to show rind on the front of the carving - a marvelous taonga.
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).
Carved by Anthony Coakley
Size 71mm long x 43mm wide x 9mm 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.
