Rei Puta Tai Tapu Tangiwai
$800.00
Rei Puta carved from Tangiwai / Williamsite Pounamu sourced by the carver in Mohua / Tai Tapu. This represents a bisected sperm whale tooth shaped into the prow of a waka, with an ancestor figure, whakapapa notches, and unaunahi.
Prior to the rise of Kaiapoi and the conquest of Te Tai Poutini by Tuhuru Kokare in the 1700's the stone most used for taonga in Te Waipounamu was tangiwai and the most preferred form was the Rei Puta. Large numbers of pendants carved from tangiwai collected in the Nelson/Tasman area have been found, ranging as far south as Murihiku and Otakau.
This stone is beautiful to work, it would have been perfect for carving with tools like schist knives, quartz points and sandstone.
By Emry Kereru.