Kōhatu - Stone
At Te Takapū, students learn the revered tradition of carving pounamu (Nephrite-Jade/Greenstone), bone and stone. This tohu (qualification) is for two years and is approximately 40 hours per week, 47 weeks of the year.
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Patu Onewa - 6721PD
Patu (meaning to strike or hit) were typically fashioned from native hardwood, whalebone or stone, including our highly valued pounamu (greenstone). Patu were often sharp at their forward edge and were used with thrusting, jabbing and swinging blows.
Māori weapons are notable for their fine sculptural form and were designed for close hand-to-hand combat. No other stone-age war implements surpassed them in deadly effectiveness.
Material: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 380mm x 100mm
$2,190.00
Wheku - 6209MA
In Māori carving there are three predominant designs for heads: the 'wheku' with its long eyes; the 'koruru' with its round eyes; and, the 'ruru', which also has round eyes but with a point at the top.
The different designs were used by carvers to illustrate the character of the subject they were carving. The long eyes of the wheku were often used to depict a squint or frown. Material: Onewa (NZ Greywacke) Measurements: 45mm x 40mm x 15mm
The different designs were used by carvers to illustrate the character of the subject they were carving. The long eyes of the wheku were often used to depict a squint or frown. Material: Onewa (NZ Greywacke) Measurements: 45mm x 40mm x 15mm
$750.00
Toki - 5523IA
The toki pendent is based on the form of the carving chisel used in whakairo (Māori carving).
Material: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 53mm x 11mm x 7mm
$320.00
Māhē - 4501HW
Māhē are sinker stones used to weigh down fishing nets.
Material: Otaua (Greywacke)
Measurements: 50mm x 37mm x 35mm
$490.00
Rei Puta - 3884TO
The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the Rei Puta (whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the Sperm Whale were highly prized because of their rarity. With actual whale teeth being such a rarity, it became common to fashion the tooth form from other materials.
Material: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 105mm x 42mm
$1,950.00
Autui Paua Shell - 5631KC
Autui were customarily used as a pin for fastening cloaks and may be made from bone, stone, wood or shell. They may also have been worn through the ear as an earring or around the neck as a pendant. Autui are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings and as with most Māori personal adornments, are often passed down generationally.
Material: Paua Shell
Measurements: 131mm x 31mm
$290.00
Autui Paua Shell - 5632KC
Autui were customarily used as a pin for fastening cloaks and may be made from bone, stone, wood or shell. They may also have been worn through the ear as an earring or around the neck as a pendant. Autui are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings and as with most Māori personal adornments, are often passed down generationally.
Material: Paua Shell
Measurements: 118mm x 15mm
$290.00
Hei Niho - 5397KC
Shark teeth were highly sought after to wear as a symbol of prestige for personal adornment. They were reflective of the mana of the shark itself.
Material: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 73mm x 21mm
$310.00
Hei Tiki - 6177KH
Hei tiki are the best known of all Māori adornments. Tiki are symbols of fertility that depict a new-born child. They are often family heirlooms bearing personal names and embodying their wearers lineage. As with most Māori personal adornments, hei tiki are often passed down generationally.
Material: Onewa (Graywacke)
Measurements: 183mm x 101mm x 25mm
$3,500.00
Rei Puta - 3885HW
The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the Rei Puta (whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the Sperm Whale were highly prized because of their rarity. With actual whale teeth being such a rarity, it became common to fashion the tooth form from other materials.
Material: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 135mm x 63mm x 30mm
$1,850.00