A wonderful representation of a Manaia (Guardian) carved from Kahurangi Pounamu, this carving also shows a Koru shape at the tail of the Manaia.
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.
Koru- The Maori word for bright or loop. It refers to the shoots of the silver fern. The circular movement to the inner core refers to "going back to the beginnings". The unfurling frond itself is symbolic for new life, new beginnings, hope, personal growth, purity nurturing, a new phase in life, the spirit of rejuvenation and peace.
Kahurangi- Genuine West Coast Greenstone from the Marsden, West Coast area. Kahurangi is the rarest variety of pounamu. It is highly translucent and often comes in vivid shades of green. Small, feather-like markings in the stone can give a cloud effect – although to be classed as Kahurangi, this effect must not reduce the stone’s clarity. The word Kahurangi also indicates nobility and refers to precious jewels and held in high esteem by Māori.
Moko Pounamu- for over 40 years Moko Pounamu has both supported and contributed to the life and breath of Pounamu Carving in Aotearoa New Zealand. The extraordinary and varied qualities of this stone, also known as Greenstone (and more technically Nephrite Jade), is displayed across our range of carvings and jewellery. We are proud to support the work of many talented craftspeople local to our beautiful country, and we love sharing this range with you.
Hand Carved by Moko Workshops
Size 43mm long x 25mm wide x 4mm 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.
