Kōuma Kawakawa - Greenstone Breastplate Pendant

Sands Carving Studio

Kōuma are breastplates or shield adornments that represent strength and leadership, whilst evoking the physical. Evolving from personal body armour, they are a taonga of personal protection that share their beauty to te ao tūroa (the outer world). It is embellished with whakapapa notches, representing genealogy and connection to ones ancestors.

This kōuma was carved by Samuel Potter from kawakawa pounamu sourced from Te Wai Pounamu, Aotearoa. It measures 39mm by 23mm, has a glossy finish, and is bound with an adjustable hand-braided polyester cord.