I have the immense pleasure of sharing a story that is as speical as it is meaningful. It is the tale of a Taonga Pounamu, carved from the heart of South Westland, New Zealand, and carved into a symbol that carries the weight of centuries-old wisdom – the Three Baskets of Knowledge. This unique piece…
Gorgeous Southwestland Pounamu Roimata. This has a mix of colours an shades in it. The roimata is some of my favourite shapes to carve. The curves are very satisfying when you get them right. Pounamu, or New Zealand greenstone, is a cherished gemstone often used in carving significant items, with Roimata representing a teardrop shape….
This 5cm toki whao features a hidden hole design for the neck cord, crafted from Pounamu sourced from the sacred Arahura River. The dimensions of the toki whao have been carefully considered, resulting in a balanced and visually striking piece. This toki whao is not only a visually stunning work of art but also holds…
This is a gorgeous 6cm example of some unique colours of the pounamu we find in Aotearoa. Raukaraka pounamu has greens mixed with oranges and yellows, to give it a very distinctive look. The Hei Toki is a traditional Maori symbol that represents strength, courage, and determination. The toki, or adze, was traditionally used by…
This was a find on a beach that a woman brought into me. She was interested to see if we could turn her surprise find into a taonga for her to wear. This gorgeous Roimata was the result. You can see the pounamu that we started with below. Things do not always turn out this…
This 7 cm pendant is a personal favourite, as it truly captivates my senses. Its harmonious blend of colors, the depth created by the carving techniques, and the striking contrast between the smooth curves and sharp edges all contribute to its unique beauty. This whao, with its traditional design, is based on the tools that…
This exquisite pounamu pendant is the result of a customer’s commission, who had a unique vision for a minimalist design that evoked balance. The pendant takes the form of a Manaia, with a strikingly abstract twist, featuring curves that are alluring, and a design that exhibits satisfying symmetry, drawing the eye in. Carved from Marsden…
Roimata are teardrop-shaped pounamu pendants that are carved with a variety of traditional designs. They are often given as gifts to represent love, strength, and protection. The roimata in this blog post are made from kawakawa pounamu, which is a rare and highly prized type of pounamu. They each have four dots down the middle,…
Each of these toki were crafted from the same exquisitely rare piece of Marsden Flower jade – Putiputi. This pounamu variety boasts a magnificent display of yellows and golds that frequently resemble the delicate petals of flowers or wispy clouds in the sky. Its elusive nature makes it highly coveted among discerning collectors and connoisseurs…
This exquisite pounamu set features three small toki pendants, each carved from the same bright green piece of pounamu. The set has been specially created to represent the connection between three members of a whanau, symbolizing the spiritual bond that ties them together. For the whanau who received this pounamu set, it holds immense significance…