Sculptural Toki Pīpīwharauroa Pounamu

54mm wide 20mm thick 116mm tall

adjustable 4-plait black waxed cord

Pīpīwharauroa Pounamu sourced from Arahura River, Te Tai o Poutini o Te Waipounamu West Coast of the South Island

The toki has its origins as a stone tool used throughout Polynesia. Māori revered their toki poutangata (ceremonial adzes), made of pounamu lashed onto exquisitely carved wooden handles. Toki poutangatas were wielded by rangatira / Māori chiefs and used on ceremonious occasions. Their spiritually significant taonga contain mauri (life force) and thus were carefully passed down generations.

OUR STORY

Crafted by hand at the Oro Negro Studio on Karangahape Road. We follow Māori Whakairo protocol in crafting taonga that honours the traditions of tangata whenua o Aotearoa. As Colombian carvers, our practice is also about connecting with our own Indigenous South American art forms. Acknowledging and upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is an integral part of our Aotearoa New Zealand perspective.

CARE OF YOUR TAONGA

Pounamu polishes and shines itself overtime by absorbing the natural oils of your skin. Likewise, rubbing into the stone’s surface a natural oil such as olive or coconut oil will also add lustre. Our pounamu can be worn daily, yet care should  be taken to minimise impact which could potentially cause hairline cracks or breaks. Wearing your pounamu close to the skin will always act as a protective measure.