A gorgeous Wahaika handcrafted from an incredible piece of Tangiwai Pounamu. The cord (tau or patui) on this piece is made from hand plaited black waxed cord, a sculpture to treasure for generations to come. This epic piece comes displayed on a stunning Rimu wood stand. This carving will be a fantastic taonga for loved and respected whanau.
Wahaika- (roughly translated "the mouth of the fish") Wahaika is one of the many forms of fighting club used by Maori warriors and was reserved for only the highest ranking and most respected fighters. It is often given as a ceremonial piece on special occasions. The carved figure on the edge represented a sacred ancestor or the god of war. The Wahaika was held so that the figure faced the warrior and looked over his shoulder to protect his back. The Maori people being fierce warriors used a wide range of hand weapons.
Tangiwai
is the most ancient form of pounamu. It is bowenite rock, which is different in composition to the more common nephrite. A translucent to transparent olive green to bluish-green variety of serpentine most Tangiwai is sourced from two isolated areas at Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), Poison Bay and Anita Bay and deposits found in Nelson. Tangiwai takes its name from the tears that come from great sorrow. Tangi means "to cry" and Wai means "water", or "tears". Koko-Tangiwai, the longer name for this stone, refers to a deep sorrow that is never completely healed. There are many sad stories that tell of Tangiwai pounamu's origins.
Hand crafted by Paul Anderson
Sculpture Size 275mm long x 113mm wide x 20mm 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.
