A fantastic Mako Mau (Shark Tooth) hand carved from a unique piece of Kawakawa Flower Pounamu, showing rich dark green and gold. The gold rind of the stone is stippled like shark skin. A wonderful and detailed taonga.
Mako Mau
Shark tooth is a symbol of male strength, proud masculinity and potency. It offers strength, guile, protection and guidance to the wearer. As a talisman it brings affluence and good fortune to the wearers life and it is believed to protect the individual from evil spirits, shark attacks and water accidents., they have also been worn by Polynesians and Māori since the earliest exploration of Polynesia. They connect to the spirit of the shark, its ferocity and as an abundant food source.
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 for jewellery purposes.
Putiputi (Flower) Jade- is New Zealand’s most prized 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.
Carved by Dave Curtis
Size 43mm long x 55mm wide x 7mm 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.
