A gorgeous Ripi from a beautiful piece of Marsden Flower Pounamu. The brilliant colours flowing through this piece are amazing and this will be a treasured gift. This piece does NOT have a sharp edge but it can be sharpened if you wanted.
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.
Marsden Flower
Pounamu 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. The most prized Greenstone in New Zealand is Flower Jade, 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 by Deane Moreton
Size 66mm long x 30mm 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.
