A striking Manaia (Guardian) handcrafted from an absolutely stunning piece of Kahurangi greenstone and presented on a forged steel stand. The incredible bright colour of the Kahurangi stone along with the delicately positioned white spots, like the ruffled side feathers of Bellbird, create a stunning master piece. An exceptional taonga to last several lifetimes.
The Manaia is a mythological creature in Māori culture, and is a common motif in Māori carving and jewellery. The Manaia is usually depicted as having the head of a bird and the tail of a fish and the body of a man, though it is sometimes depicted as a bird, a serpent, or a human figure in profile. The Manaia is traditionally believed to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits, and its symbol is used as a guardian against evil.
Genuine West Coast Kahurangi Greenstone 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.
Hand Carved by Ross Crump
Size
Sculpture - 133mm tall x 71mm wide
Stand - 68mm x 71mm x 143mm high (including sculpture)
