Pounamu Tiki Pendant (wide) - by Alex Sands
Maori Tiki Pendant by Alex Sands
On a black waxed plaited nylon cord. Adjustable length
11cm x 8.5cm x 1cm
About the Tiki:
To Maori the Tiki was a revered taonga, but the origins of the Tiki are obscure. To some the Tiki is the first man created by Tane. Hei Tiki is said to have held a wealth of knowledge and a great teacher of all things and the wearer would possess similar qualities. In some areas the Tiki would be buried with the guardian and later retrieved by the family and gifted to a family member holding many memories for years to come. It is also believed by some to be a good luck charm and is also regarded as a fertility symbol.
About Pounamu:
No two pieces of pounamu are the same, and every stone is treated with the utmost respect by those who source and carve it.
Renowned for its beauty and strength, the rare stone is highly valued by both Maori and greater New Zealand. While generically known as ‘greenstone’ Pounamu refers to the particular types of hard nephrite jade, bowenite or serpentine found only in southern New Zealand.