A magnificent Matā Kautete handcrafted from exceptional piece of native Rimu wood, bone and Paua shell eyes. The colour in this piece is simply amazing. An incredible sculpture showcasing the true skill of the carver. The knife has an oval curved head with straight handle and a single row of teeth lashed to the bottom, which appear to be teeth carved from bone, it is decorated with an open curvilinear design on both sides with 6 Manaia and Paua shell eyes on each face. It is thought to have been a ceremonially important object, as the elaborate carving is more decorative than functional. This will be a treasured taonga for your whanau.
Matā Kautete- Matā Kautete is a traditional Māori weapon, a saw-like blade made from a single row of sharp stone flakes or shark teeth attached to a wooden handle. Shark tooth knives are carved on a wooden or whale-bone core were historically found in many parts of Oceania, from Kiribati to Hawai‘i and south to Aotearoa New Zealand. They were generally reserved for ceremonial purposes.
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 - Rimu
is a dense native timber of NZ. It is deep reddish brown in colour and is strong and durable. A stunning timber - one of the most beautiful in the world with a fine textured grain.
Hand Carved by Malcolm Hooper
Size Sculpture - 590mm long x 147mm wide x 32mm 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.
