Moko Pounamu Snake Genuine Whale Bone Carving - Aumangea

This is a gorgeous Nakahi (Snake) is hand carved from Whale Bone with goat horn and 18ct gold eyes and is beautifully carved on both sides. The mastery of this carver must be seen to be believed, stunning.

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 Kapiti Island.

Carved by Owen Mapp CNZM

Size 113mm long x 68mm wide x 19mm 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.