Moko Pounamu Rei Niho Koruru NZ Genuine Kawakawa Greenstone -Paraparaumu

This contemporary rei niho koruru is carved from Kawakawa pounamu, showing a deep, even green with soft cloudy patches through the lower body of the stone. The form takes on the traditional tapering, tooth like silhouette of a rei niho, curving to a rounded point at the base, with a carved koruru face detailed on the upper portion, including flowing brow and cheek lines and a striking inset pāua eye that catches the light with soft blues and greens against the dark stone. A drilled hole at the top is threaded with a black cord and finished with a simple knot. The surface is polished to a smooth, glossy lustre, with the carved facial features left crisp and well defined, giving the piece a strong, guardian-like presence.

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.

Koruru are architectural features on large whare tupuna or wharenui (meeting houses) that join the two-front facing maihi (barge boards) at the top apex. A koruru's face is also the face of the represented tupuna (ancestor) embodied in the carved constructed form of the whare tupuna. Many whare whakairo are named after ancestors. The building is regarded as an outstretched body. The koruru (gable head) is the face of the ancestor, the maihi (bargeboards) the arms, the kūwaha (door) the mouth, the tāhuhu (ridgepole) the spine, and the heke (rafters) the ribs.

Kawakawa- is the most common variety of Pounamu. it comes in many shades - from strong, rich green to dark green - and often has small dark flecks, which add to its character. Named after the leaf of the Kawakawa. It is the main type used in gem purposes.

Carved by Andy Ruskin

Size 85mm Long x 29mm Wide x 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.