This gorgeous Pekapeka Manaia (Guardian) has been handcrafted from Marsden Flower Pounamu with the eyes detailed in red wax. With shifting and changing colours from bright green to lighter orange hues across the entire carving, the Greenstone here shows the uniqueness of New Zealand's Nephrite Jade types - this stunning carving is a fantastic taonga by carver Des Hetherington.
Peka Peka
is a very old Māori Design representing a Native NZ bat, it is often classed as a Manaia, which are 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.
Marsden Putiputi (Flower)
Pounamu from the Marsden, West Coast area. The centre of this stone is a highly translucent, light-ish green shade, free from dark spots and other flaws. One of the rarest varieties, held in high esteem by the Māori. The most prized Greenstone in New Zealand is Flower Jade, Greenstone with pale green or ochre clouds of colour. This distinctive patterning and colouring come from the outside rim or 'rind' of the greenstone boulders or stones where the surface has oxidised.
Hand carved by Des Hetherington
Size 58mm long x 82mm wide x 9mm 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.
