Moko Pounamu Taniwha Genuine Mammoth Ivory - Tauranganui

A stunning large Taniwha is hand carved from Mammoth Ivory with large Paua eyes and Unaunahi pattern carved all over. Taniwha are powerful, supernatural water beings in Māori tradition that live in the sea, rivers, and deep pools. The mastery of this carver has to be seen to be believed, really stunning.

Taniwha In Māori mythology are beings that live in deep pools in rivers, dark caves, or in the sea, especially in places with dangerous currents or deceptive breakers. They were sometimes considered to be highly respected Kaitiaki (protective guardians) of people and places but were often thought of as dangerous, predatory beings.

Unaunahi- a pattern in te ao Māori, characterised by repeating crescent shapes or fish scales, signifies abundance, prosperity and health, particularly in relation to the ocean and its resources. It represents the connection between Māori and the sea, their reliance on it for sustenance, and their spiritual connection to Tangaroa, the god of the sea.

Mammoth ivory is the fossilized or preserved tusk of extinct woolly mammoths, harvested primarily from the thawing permafrost of Siberia. The material comes from animals that died roughly 10,000 to 40,000 years ago. It features a creamy white colour with distinct natural growth rings known as Schreger lines. Mammoth ivory is legal internationally because the source animal is extinct.

Carved by Owen Mapp CNZM

Size 119mm long x 55mm 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.