An exquisite Matau (Hook) handcrafted from the most amazing piece of Kahotea Pounamu and mounted onto a wonderful piece of water worn Inanga stone. The incredible display of colour in this carving is so unique and refreshing. Such a rare and very special carving from a very talented master carver.
Matau(Fishhook) - Originally Māori have been fishermen. Their main food source was the sea, so a fishhook of high quality was an unbelievably valuable item to own. The hook became a symbol of prosperity, abundance, good health, power, authority and respect for the sea and its life in it. They also provide good luck and safety while travelling across water.
Sculpture - Kahotea- is a shortened form of Kakahotea, meaning “the white flowering seed head of the Toetoe.” Tradition tells of a daughter of Kupe who discovered a white-skinned Pounamu boulder high on the bank of the Arahura River beside a flowering Toetoe. The name commemorates that first discovery. Many boulders are white on the outside and known as Kahotea, when cut open, their inner variety is revealed.
Base - Inanga- Pounamu takes its name from a freshwater fish native to New Zealand. It is pale and often transparent, like the young of the Inanga fish. It is pearly white to grey green in colour, and ranges from translucent to quite opaque. It can change colour over time, developing a light olive tint as it ages and oxidises - Highly prized by the Māori and the desired material for making Mere and Patu.
Hand Carved by Ross Crump
Size Sculpture - 110mm tall x 58mm wide
Base - 120mm long x 190mm high (including sculpture)
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.
