This Rei Niho (Tooth) is hand carved from Tangiwai Pounamu, showing deep green tones and lighter streaks of character in the stone. An un-carved section is left in relief on the face of the pendant, creating a beautiful contrast between the smooth carved surfaces and the natural untouched stone. Finished with a fine polish on the smooth sections and the reverse, this is a piece with depth, presence, and a thoughtful, distinctive design.
Rei Niho(Eye Tooth) carved from pounamu, maintains the beauty of the traditional form, symbolising the intimate connection between Maori and Tohorā. The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the rei niho (whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the sperm whale (Paraoa) were highly prized because of their rarity. With actual whale teeth being such a rarity, it became common to fashion the tooth form from other materials such as this example created from Pounamu.
Tangiwai
is the most ancient form of pounamu. It is bowenite rock, which is different in composition to the more common nephrite. A translucent to transparent olive green to bluish-green variety of serpentine, most Tangiwai is sourced from two isolated areas at Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), Poison Bay and Anita Bay and deposits found in Nelson. Tangiwai takes its name from the tears that come from great sorrow. Tangi means "to cry" and Wai means "water", or "tears". Koko-Tangiwai, the longer name for this stone, refers to a deep sorrow that is never completely healed. There are many sad stories that tell of Tangiwai pounamu's origins.
Carved by Dave Curtis
Size 70mm long x 29mm wide x 10mm 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.
