A fabulous Manaia handcrafted from a wonderful piece of Kawakawa Flower Pounamu. This is such a beautiful carving and the way the carver makes the stone look folded shows his great skill, a taonga for someone special.
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.
Whale Tail- Muri Paraoa - meaning speed and strength. The Whale Tail represents the support often shown by dolphins and whales to humans in distress, therefore a symbol of protection. It expresses the respect for the sea and nature thus a symbol of good luck, providing safe passage over water. The Whale was the most important animal in the life of the Maori. Besides speed and strength, it also represents success, confidence, sensitivity, and the bond between animal and human.
Kawakawa- is the most common variety of Pounamu. it comes in many shades - from strong, rich green to dark green - and often has small dark flecks, which add to its character. Named after the leaf of the Kawakawa. It is the main type used in gem purposes.
Flower Jade- is New Zealand’s most prized 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 in Shaun Gardiner
Size 104mm long x 59mm 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.
