A wonderful Manaia handcrafted from a stunning piece of Kahotea Pounamu. Such an amazing piece with outstanding colour and a fantastic tail blending into a Hei Matau (Hook) and will be a treasured taonga.
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.
Hei Matau/Fishhook - Originally Māori have been fishermen. Their main food source was the sea, so a fishhook of high quality was an unbelievably valuable item to own. The hook became a symbol of prosperity, abundance, good health, power, authority and respect for the sea and its life in it. They also provide good luck and safety while travelling across water.
Kahotea
– Pounamu from the Greenstone, West Coast area. A type streaked or flecked with white. The name Kahotea derives from Kaho, meaning light coloured tea (white or clear).
Hand Carved by Ross Crump
Size 44mm long x 31mm wide
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.
