Hei Toki Matau Inanga - Greenstone Adze Pendant
WS$ 1,087.00
With expertise and power the carver wields the adze. Relied on for survival in ancient times, traditional tools are imbued with significance and meaning. The toki epitomises the artistry and skill of the craftsman, protector and provider. Of great mana (prestige), to wield the toki is to wield strength.
The treasures and vital sustenance of Tangaroa, kaitiaki (protector) of the ocean, required our tūpuna (ancestors) to be expert mariners. The lines and curves of the matau (fishhook) not only represent abundance and prosperity but also safe passage across life's journeys, echoing the voyages undertaken by those who first explored and settled the vast Pacific.
This hei toki was carved with a matau form by Yuki Tanaka from pyrite embedded inanga pounamu sourced from Durville Island of Te Wai Pounamu, Aotearoa. It measures 78mm by 30mm, has a glossy finish, and is bound with an adjustable hand-braided cord.
