Te Niho i te Whenua – The tooth from the land
$390.00
A 75mm niho carved from deep green Kawakawa Pounamu, revealing both polished stone and its natural rind. One side is smooth and finished, while the other holds the dark, oxidised skin of the stone, grounding the piece in its origins. The niho appears to emerge from the raw form itself, reflecting its name — a tooth born from the land. Bound with a hidden hole and black three-braid cord, this taonga carries strength shaped by whenua and the journey from raw stone to finished form.
In stock
Description
This niho taonga is carved from deep green Kawakawa Pounamu and measures 75mm in length. The name speaks directly to what this piece holds — a strong connection to whenua and the origins of the stone itself. Rather than separating the finished form from its beginnings, this taonga carries both.
One side has been polished to reveal the rich green depth of the Pounamu, while the other retains its natural rind — a deep, oxidised brown that remains as it was formed within the earth. The niho itself appears to rise out of this raw surface near the tip, as if emerging from the stone rather than being imposed upon it. This reflects the meaning of the name, a form shaped by the land, not separate from it.
The contrast between the refined surface and the untouched rind highlights the full story of the stone. It speaks to transformation while holding onto origin — a reminder that strength and identity are grounded in where we come from.
A hidden hole at the top allows for a clean, uninterrupted form, with a black three-braid cord securing the piece. This keeps the focus on the stone and its natural character.
Te Niho i te Whenua represents strength, resilience, and deep connection. It carries the idea that even as we are shaped and refined, we remain tied to our beginnings — to the whenua that formed us.
Size: 75mm
Material: Kawakawa Pounamu/Nephrite
Location: Hokitika
Carver: David Curtis
Additional information
| Weight | 0.2 g |
|---|
