Moko Pounamu Ocean Taniwha Genuine Whale Bone - Ramarama

This is an incredible large Ocean Taniwha is hand carved from Whale Bone with a Paua eye and Unaunahi pattern carved all over. Ocean Taniwha are powerful, supernatural water beings in Māori tradition that live in the sea, deep ocean currents, or coastal waters. The mastery of this carver has to be seen to be believed, really stunning.

Taniwha In Māori mythology are beings that live in deep pools in rivers, dark caves, or in the sea, especially in places with dangerous currents or deceptive breakers. They were sometimes considered to be highly respected Kaitiaki (protective guardians) of people and places but were often thought of as dangerous, predatory beings.

Unaunahi- a pattern in te ao Māori, characterised by repeating crescent shapes or fish scales, signifies abundance, prosperity and health, particularly in relation to the ocean and its resources. It represents the connection between Māori and the sea, their reliance on it for sustenance, and their spiritual connection to Tangaroa, the god of the sea.

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 118mm long x 67mm wide x 15mm 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.