Niho Taniwha Kokopu - Greenstone Teeth of the Taniwha Pendant

Sands Carving Studio

Niho taniwha, literally translated as ‘teeth of the taniwha’, is an iconic design of Te Arawa and Waikato iwi. Most commonly found on tāniko woven tukutuku panels of marae, they are a triangular design comprised of many smaller triangle “teeth”. This repetitive pattern represents the stories and histories that whakapapa is beholden to, connecting lineage to mythology.

This niho taniwha was carved by Jeremy Walsh from kokopu pounamu sourced from Haast of Te Wai Pounamu, Aotearoa. It measures 77mm by 57mm, has a semi-gloss finish, and is bound with an adjustable hand-braided polyester cord.

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