Vintage poumanu Hei Matau nephrite jade pendant, New Zealand

A beautiful vintage poumanu Hei Matau nephrite jade pendant from New Zealand, beautifully carved to highlight the patterns in this flower jade.

This stylized fish hook shape refers to the origin myth of Maui fishing up the North Island, becoming an enduring Maori cultural symbol. This shape is believed by some to bring prosperity and good health, as well as safe travel across water.

Poumanu, which refers to New Zealand nephrite and sometimes bowenite naturally occurring only on the South Island, has been prized for centuries in Maori culture. Known as a taonga (treasure), poumanu is revered as a sacred material and items carved from it such as weapons, jewellery and talismans are passed down as family heirlooms, only given on important occasions.  Those pieces carried by chieftains to denote their authority were considered to carry such potent mana (spiritual power and/or prestige/status) that they were tribal heirlooms, given only on major occasions such as the sealing of peace agreements. 

Poumanu remains highly prized today; in 2011, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key presented then US President Barack Obama with a ceremonial poumanu wahaika (a traditional Māori weapon) carved by NZ artist Aden Hoglund.

Price marked at $465 AUD.

Measurements: 28 grams approximate weight. 7.2cm pendant length.

Excellent vintage condition.