This striking Manaia carving is worked from Totoweka pounamu, prized for its bold contrast of vivid, bright apple green tones running through deeper olive and moss green mottling, with fine dark flecks scattered throughout the stone. The colour shifts dramatically depending on the light, glowing translucent green where thin, deepening to a rich, dappled forest green through the body of the piece. The Manaia, a guardian figure combining bird, human, and reptile features, is carved with open, flowing lines and a Paua shell eye inlay that adds a flash of iridescent blue-green, bringing the guardian's gaze to life. Hung on an adjustable braided cord, this one-of-a-kind piece showcases the natural beauty and character unique to Totoweka stone.
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.
Totoweka- This stone is usually like the mid green Kawakawa variety but differs in that the spotting or streaks are red like blood. It is rare to find Totoweka in the Westland jade fields, but when a piece is discovered, it is highly cherished and sometimes becomes the show piece of the fossicker’s collection. Large deposits of Totoweka occur in the South Westland area. The name comes from toto (blood), weka (Native bush hen) or weka blood. The red iron oxide inclusions were likened to the colour of blood of the Weka.
Hand Carved by Thomas Ratima
Size 124mm long x 46mm wide
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.
