A stunning and unique Manaia handcrafted from an awesome piece of (Nelson) Te Tau Ihu Inanga Pounamu. A fantastic carving with awesome multiple colours and patterns so unique to Nelson Region Pounamu, and with a beautiful large Paua and Pakohe eye, this will be a treasured taonga to last a lifetime, and with incredible attention to detail that makes this carver stand out. A fantastic carving to be worn with honour and pride.
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.
Pounamu
can benefit the wearer on many levels. Physically Pounamu is a healing crystal. It differs from Jadeite in that it heals all chakras and brings strength to all areas which are weakened in the body. Pounamu has a protective nature. It offers protection when travelling.
Paua
Shell – Abalone, our Paua shell is rich and deep in iridescent colours unique to New Zealand. Found all around the rocky shoreline coast but grows best in southern waters. Paua shell has been traditionally used by Maori to illuminate the eyes & features of carvings and artwork. While Paua sits within the abalone family, which is found in other parts of the world, namely, South America, Australia, Western North America, and Japan, our Paua's hidden, bright multi-coloured interior shell is only found in New Zealand.
Pakohe
– Also known as Argillite, and to geologists as metamorphosed indurated mudstone, argillite is particularly associated with the Nelson-Marlborough region in New Zealand. It is found on Rangitoto (D'Urville Island), along the Whangamoa mineral belt, and in the upper reaches of the Maitai, Wairoa and Motueka Rivers. Māori valued Argillite’s strength, hardness and ability to hold a sharpened edge – which made it ideal for making tools (especially Adzes).
Hand Carved by Marshall Johnson
Size 81mm long x 48mm wide x 11mm 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.
