Carved by Marshall Johnston, this contemporary pendant features an elongated, gently tapered body with sweeping curves and two sculpted openings. A raised circular eye forms the focal point, with an iridescent pāua ring surrounding a rounded stone centre. Soft sage-green tones contrast with creamy mottling, dark branching inclusions and warm reddish-brown accents, creating intricate natural detail throughout the piece.
The layered carving gives the pendant depth, with a curved ridge flowing beneath the eye and an extended upper opening adding an airy contrast to the solid lower body. Smooth edges lead towards a softly pointed tip, while the reverse bears Johnston’s red maker’s mark. Finished with an earthy-toned braided cord and dark binding, this distinctive piece balances bold contemporary design with beautifully varied 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.
Te Tau Ihu- Greenstone from the Nelson Tasman region. Comes in many colour variations from light to dark browns, creamy whites, light blues, olive greens to yellow even golden. Also known as trout-stone named after the dark brown, olive green and yellowish markings found on the three species of native freshwater trout. The spotted textures and range of colour give this stone a diverse presence.
Carved by Marshall Johnston
Size 90mm long x 35mm wide 8mm 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.
