This is an incredible large Rei Niho (Pilot Whale Tooth) hand carved from Whale Tooth ethically sourced from natural stranding's on Kapiti Island, with wonderful intricate patterns covering its entirety, and by one of New Zealand's most incredible and world recognised carvers.
Rei Puta are chiefly taonga traditionally carved from the teeth of Tohorā (whale). Rei Niho carved from pounamu maintains the beauty of the traditional form, symbolising the intimate connection between Maori and Tohorā.
Rei Niho (Eye Tooth) carved from Pounamu, maintains the beauty of the traditional form, symbolising the intimate connection between Maori and Tohorā. The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the Rei Puta (Pounamu whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the sperm whale (Paraoa) were highly prized because of their rarity.
Whale Bone has always been a special medium for Māori artists, Whales are considered a taonga species, and represent abundance, richness and were regarded as chiefly animals. Some tribes see whales as the descendants of Tangaroa, the god of the ocean and stranding’s are seen as gifts from Tangaroa and carving them is a way of honouring that gift. Whales possess a tapu (sacred) significance to Māori as both supernatural beings and as harbingers of personal change and spiritual growth.
Genuine Whale Tooth - Ethically sourced from Kapiti Island.
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.
