Magnificent Gliding Toroa pair (Southern Royal Albatross) handcrafted from a deep green and gold piece of Marsden Flower Pounamu. Gliding for months at a time with their massive up to 3.7meter wingspan as they circumnavigate the globe blending survival with the poetry of motion above the sea.
This is a stunning example of skill from carver Kerry Thompson, which displays the qualities of the beautiful bright greenstone as well as the care of design from the carver, with a satin finish across the piece and displayed on a simple black powder coated metal stand.
Toroa
signifies strength and nobility, and is often used as a metaphor for prestige, high esteem and deep journeys. Birds represent freedom and communication
The southern royal albatross (Toroa) is one of the great albatross species, with a wingspan in excess of 3m and weighing approximately 9 kg. Endemic to New Zealand, the majority of the southern royal breeding population is found on subantarctic Campbell Island, with smaller numbers on the Auckland Islands. Birds breed biennially as it takes nearly a year to rear the single chick. Non-breeding birds and juveniles cross the Southern Ocean to feed in South American waters before returning to the breeding areas by circumnavigating the globe. Young birds begin returning to the islands at 3-4 years of age to find mates, and generally start breeding at 6-12 years, and live into their 40s. Southern royals are closely related to the northern royal albatross, which breeds at Taiaroa Head and the Chatham Islands.
Highly prized in Māori culture, the feathers (raukura) and bones were worn by chiefs, and the intensely white down (pōhoi) was worn as an ear adornment.
Marsden Putiputi (Flower)
Pounamu from the Marsden, West Coast area. The centre of this stone is a highly translucent, light-ish green shade, free from dark spots and other flaws. One of the rarest varieties, held in high esteem by the Māori. The most prized Greenstone in New Zealand is Flower Jade, 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.
Hand Carved by Kerry Thompson
Size 98mm long x 220mm wide 12mm thick
Base 121mm wide x 75mm deep x 155mm high
Total height 199mm
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.
