Moko Pounamu, Toroa Genuine Whale Bone Carving - Taiaroa

This is a stunning Toroa (Royal Albatross) is hand carved from Whale Bone and has fantastic Paua patterns on the front. The Toroa is a revered bird with significant cultural and spiritual importance. It's not just a magnificent seabird; it's a symbol of strength, freedom, and connection to ancestral lands. The beauty of this carver's Mahi must be seen, really gorgeous.

Toroa- Southern Royal Albatross is a large seabird from the albatross family. At an average wingspan of above 3 m (9.8 ft), Toroa live wandering lives and have physiological and behavioural adaptations that allow them to fly for almost 1,000 kilometres per day without flapping their wings. They fly in a pattern known as dynamic soaring, utilising altitude and wind speed to maintain momentum over vast distances. Most of the time, they can be found over the ocean feeding on squid and fish and gathering to breed in colonies like the one at Taiaroa Head in Dunedin and live for 40-50 years. Many species fly regularly between New Zealand and South America, and species from here have been spotted as far afield as Africa.

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 stranding’s 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.

Paua Shell – Abalone, our Paua shell is rich and deep in iridescent colours unique to New Zealand. Found all around the rocky shoreline coast but grows best in southern waters. Paua shell has been traditionally used by Maori to illuminate the eyes & features of carvings and artwork. While Paua sits within the abalone family, which is found in other parts of the world, namely, South America, Australia, Western North America, and Japan, our Paua's hidden, bright multi-coloured interior shell is only found in New Zealand.

Genuine Whale bone - Ethically sourced from the Chatham Islands.

Carved by Nigel Ryan

Size 54mm long x 38mm 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.