Moko Pounamu "Mythical Bird" Whale Tooth Rei Puta Genuine Whale Bone - Moetapu

Mythical Bird depicts a guardian bird emerging from a richly layered cloak of forest feathers. Carved from whale tooth, its elongated form features overlapping plumes with finely cut grooves, raised quills and gently curling edges. Creamy ivory and warm golden tones highlight the depth of the carving, while the bird’s smooth, tapered head provides a beautiful contrast to the textured cloak.

Horn and 18ct gold eyes add definition and a luminous finishing detail to this watchful guardian. Drawing on the presence of birds in Māori mythology, the design gathers the feathers of forest birds into an enveloping cloak. A distinctive sculptural piece, Mythical Bird rewards close inspection and makes a meaningful addition to a collection celebrating birdlife, storytelling and the natural world.

Whale Bone has always been a special medium for Māori artists, Whales are considered a taonga species, and represent abundance, richness and were regarded as chiefly animals. Some tribes see whales as the descendants of Tangaroa, the god of the ocean and strandings are seen as gifts from Tangaroa and carving them is a way of honouring that gift. Whales possess a tapu (sacred) significance to Māori as both supernatural beings and as harbingers of personal change and spiritual growth.

Genuine Whale bone - Ethically sourced from the Kapiti Island.

Carved by Owen Mapp CNZM

Size 130mm long x 50mm wide x 30mm 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.