A gorgeous Manaia hand crafted from a stunning piece of Kawakawa Flower Pounamu and mounted on a piece of water worn Greywacke . A sculpture of this calibre is going to last for many generations, being passed to each new generation to care for and protect them.
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.
Sculpture - Kawakawa- is the most common variety of Pounamu. it comes in many shades - from strong, rich green to dark green - and often has small dark flecks, which add to its character. Named after the leaf of the Kawakawa. It is the main type used in gem purposes.
Putiputi (Flower) Jade- is New Zealand’s most prized Greenstone, with pale green or ochre clouds of colour. This distinctive patterning and colouring come from the outside rim or 'rind' of the greenstone boulders or stones where the surface has oxidised.
Greywacke
– Whatuaho, sometimes called Ōnewa like basalt, is the bedrock of the South Island, its rugged form making up the majestic Southern Alps. Carrying a piece of greywacke is like carrying a piece of the very body of Aotearoa, a tangible connection to the land’s ancient origins. This stone, with its muted tones of grey and brown, holds the stories of millennia, its layers echoing the slow dance of tectonic plates and the relentless forces of erosion. Traditionally shaped with patience and strength, greywacke was used to craft tools and weapons, its resilience mirroring the enduring spirit of Māori people. Holding a piece of greywacke is to hold the essence of the land, a reminder of the deep connection between people and place, and the timeless beauty of Aotearoa’s natural heritage.
Hand Carved by Ross Crump
Size Sculpture - 75mm long x 53mm wide x 9mm thick
Base - 105mm wide x 39mm deep x 35mm high
Overall height - 124mm
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.
