New Zealand Maori Bone Hei Matau Fish Hook Paua Necklace

This Pendant features Fine Scrimshaw Work and New Zealand Paua. Hand Carved from Solid Bone finished to the highest standard comes Traditional Style adjustable Cord as standard. Size(mm) 28 W x 44L (inch) (1.10 W X 1.73 L)

(size may vary slightly)

The fish-hook shape of the hei matau finds its origins in Maori legend, which holds that the North Island of New Zealand was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner Maui using only a woven line and a bone hook. Legend holds that the shape of Hawkes Bay is that of the hei matau, which caught in the fish's side. For the Maori, the hei matau is taonga (a cultural treasure). It represents not only their land, but also prosperity, fertility and safe passage over water.



AOTEAROA

(Ay-o-tee-uh-ro-uh)

The Land of the Long White Cloud

(AKA NEW-ZEALAND)



It is estimated that Pacific Island peoples, calling themselves the Maori, made their way to Aotearoa sometime between the years of 950-1150 AD. To the Maori, as is true among all coastal and island peoples, the sea was the key to survival and the driving force behind tribal myths and legends. The Maori, also like other peoples, created beautiful works of art which enabled them to bring their intangible concepts of the unknown or super-natural world into the everyday, tangible world. The pieces in our New Zealand Collection are either a traditional or stylized Aotearoa Maori design.