A stunning Ripi Pito hand carved from a gorgeous piece Kahurangi Flower Pounamu and displayed on a Kauri wood base set with a beautiful Kokopu Pounamu Cabochon. A taonga to last a lifetime.
The Ripi
is a traditional Māori knife. With its origins in everyday practicality, its form is often simple, featuring a curved or straight blade crafted from pounamu, obsidian, or other sharp materials. As a practical tool, the ripi was used for a variety of purposes. One of its most significant uses was for cutting the umbilical cord after a child’s birth. In modern times, ripi are often crafted specifically for this purpose, later transformed into a taonga (treasure) for the child. This imbues the ripi with deep meaning. It becomes a tangible symbol of the child’s connection to their whenua (land and birthplace) and a reminder of their origins.
Kahurangi- Genuine West Coast Greenstone from the Marsden, West Coast area. Kahurangi is the rarest variety of pounamu. It is highly translucent and often comes in vivid shades of green. Small, feather-like markings in the stone can give a cloud effect – although to be classed as Kahurangi, this effect must not reduce the stone’s clarity. The word Kahurangi also indicates nobility and refers to precious jewels and held in high esteem by Māori.
Putiputi (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.
Kokopu- Greenstone from the West Coast Taramakau River area, West Coast. Comes in many colour variations from light to dark browns, creamy whites, light blues, olive greens to yellow even golden. Also known as trout-stone named after the dark brown, olive green and yellowish markings found on the three species of native freshwater trout. The spotted textures and range of colour give this stone a diverse presence.
Hand carved by Trent Lawrie
Size 59mm long x 40mm wide
Base 90mm dia x 23mm thick x 54mm high
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.
