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Exquisite Māori Pearl Carving... Capture The Very EssenceHold New Zealand's breath-taking beauty in your hands. A Māori pearl carving. Genuine. Exclusive. The forms and spirit of the land captured by the country's finest artists.  New Zealand needs to be shared. The grandeur, the scale, the intricate forms of the fern frond. All this, captured in the finest pearl, jade (greenstone) and bone carvings from highly skilled and renowned local artists. Pacific Pearl shell, or Mother-of-Pearl, is a true treasure of the deep and is absolutely stunning when polished and carved. It has layers of gold or black through the silver/white pearl which seem to shift and swirl around as the carvings are turned. Pacific Pearl comes in gold-lipped or black-lipped varieties which often reach 10 inches (25cm) or more in diameter and close to an inch (2.5cm) thick. Pearl is almost as hard as jade so is a wonderful long lasting material for intricate carvings. Paua, similar to the American Abalone but much larger, is a beautiful rainbow coloured shell which, like pearl, changes as the carving is turned. It is spectacular in the vibrancy and richness of its colour. Paua shell is often used as inlays in silver or bone carvings. Hold a pearl carving up to the light and you will truly be looking into another world altogether... SPECIAL NOTE: Māori pearl carvings and artwork have a very special feel about them, unlike anything else you will ever experience. And every experience increases in value if it's shared with friends. Every Māori pearl carving has a very special meaning or story behind its design. And in that meaning is the importance of sharing. Passing on the oral traditions of the Māori and their respect for, and reverence of, nature. The pre-European Māori had no written language. So tribal history and the stories of the gods were kept using many forms of fine arts and crafts. Pendants, jewelry and various tools such as needles, spear tips and fish hooks fashioned through pearl carving developed into a fine art form. Great importance being placed on every piece, many of which took years to make using stone tools. These Māori arts and crafts ranged from basket and cloth weaving to complex wood, bone, shell and Māori pearl carving containing the essential elements necessary to preserve the tribal histories.
The Koru represents the fern frond as it opens, bringing new life and purity to the world. It also represents peace, tranquility and spirituality along with a strong sense of re-growth or new beginnings. The Koru is also often associated with nurturing so when, in a Māori pearl carving, it is interlocked with others it is frequently used to represent the strength and purity of a loving relationship within a family. It is often intertwined with other forms such as Twists and Matau to tell a very special and powerful story. And when combined with a closed circle it links love and new life or new beginnings with the circle of life. No beginning nor end. Seamless. Of which we are all a part. The circle also tells of the stars and planets, part of the circle of life, and containing the knowledge of our origins. For an artist the circle represents the relationship or oneness between the artist and his craft, bringing together head, hand and heart. As a gift, the Koru captures the depth of feeling of the giver. And the hope of new beginnings... What happened then? These artifacts containing the tribal stories and history were handed down through generations of tribal elders and became sacred objects or treasures, "Taonga", telling the history of a tribe and taking on the spirits of past great leaders and warriors who had worn them. It is held that a Māori pearl carving which is worn with respect or given and received with love, takes on part of the spirit of those who wear or handle it. And, in this way, it becomes a spiritual link between people. And peoples. Spanning time and distance. A Māori pearl carving that has been worn by family or tribal members over many generations contains the spirit of all of those people and is truly a great and powerful treasure. The Māori have a great respect for nature and have many legends about the creation of the earth and all its inhabitants. Many of these legends revolve around the spirits or gods who created or protect each part of their world. The mountains, the forests, the lakes and the creatures of the sea. Quintessential New Zealand in your hands... ... worthy of the greatest respect. Basic Māori Pearl Carving |
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The twist with its crisscross form represents the many paths of life and love and as such is regarded as the original eternity symbol.
The single twist in particular shows the joining together of two people for eternity. Even though they sometimes move away from each other on their own journeys, they will always come together again sharing their lives and blending to become one. It tells how the strength of bond of friendship, loyalty and love will last forever.
The double and triple twists have a similar meaning but refer more to the joining of two peoples or cultures rather than individuals. Twists are often intertwined with other elements such as Koru and Matau in Māori pearl carving and combine to tell a very special and powerful story.
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These very stylised Māori pearl carving fish hooks represent strength, prosperity, abundance, fertility and a great respect for the sea. They were used as a practical tool for fishing and were often decorated as a sign of respect for the creatures of the sea. Some also incorporate inlays of beautiful rainbow coloured Paua shell.
Hei-Matau are also symbols of power and authority, which are held in great reverence by the Māori people. And are said to provide good luck and safety when traveling over water. They are often worn by travelers.
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The Manaia is an ancient mythical being with a bird's head and a human form. It is said to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits. It illustrates the strong links the Māori people have with spirituality and the spirit world.
It is a holder of great spiritual energy and is a guardian against evil. The Manaia can be seen blended into many Māori pearl carving designs with subtle differences between tribes.
The Manaia is often depicted with the three fingers of birth, life and death. It can also be shown with a fourth finger representing the afterlife, describing and completing the circle of life.
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The ocean has always been the dominant force for the Māori people who traveled huge distances in their long canoes and lived on the bounty of the tropical waters.
They had a great respect for the creatures on the sea and in particular dolphins and whales.
The whale with its great size and obvious intelligence played an important part in the culture of the Māori people. They were often represented as an example of family love with Māori pearl carvings showing mother and calf always side by side and touching at every opportunity.
Beached whales were treasured as gifts from the gods. They were particularly prized for the bone which after several years of curing was used to carve ornate jewelry and art works, often passed down for many generations.
A dolphin is a symbol of playfulness, harmony and friendship. While the turtle is the sign of a navigator.
What Is The Bone Art Place?
The Bone Art Place is a collective of New Zealand artists dedicated to the art of hand-crafted New Zealand Māori jade carving, bone carving and pearl shell carving in its many forms. From the very traditional Māori carving styles to the more contemporary designs for gifts and jewelry.
Some are set into sterling silver mounts, others are in the form of delicate earrings and still others are unique gifts such as key rings, framed artworks or free-standing sculptures. Many have inlays of precious stones or colourful Paua shell and all have a story or meaning behind their design.
All Māori pearl carvings from The Bone Art Place are supplied complete with a traditional style cord & bag. Most cords are hand made from black waxed braid with a loop and pearl toggle fitted. A woven flax presentation case and information on the meaning of the design is also included.
Each piece is crafted by hand so even if following the same design, no two pieces will ever be exactly the same.
Unique pieces in jade and pearl can also be designed especially for you, telling your story through traditional styling.
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Here you will see some very unusual and unique designs. Next to some very simple pieces featuring rare and stunning examples of the diversity of New Zealand jade (Pounamu), along with unique Māori bone, pearl and other carvings or artworks.
These are very special carvings. Spectacular one-off pieces in bone, pearl, wood or jade from guest artists. And so they are not part of our normal range.
The beauty of real New Zealand Pounamu is unsurpassed ranging in colour from semi translucent with swirls of green that seem to float deep within the stone to the rare and exotic flower jades found nowhere else in the world.
These artists work with this gift from the gods to create works of unbelievable beauty and power featuring the extraordinary craftsmanship of true masters of their craft.
These, often reclusive, artists take their inspiration not only from Māori mythology but also from the many other cultures that now share our beautiful land. They also illustrate the deep respect these artists have for the natural and spiritual worlds.
Most of the pieces showcased in these special artists galleries are exclusive one-of-a-kind art works which will not be repeated. This is an opportunity to own a carving or sculpture which is truly unique and will never be featured at The Bone Art Place again. As soon as each carving is sold it will be removed permanently so check for updates often and be quick when you find one that you like
... it may be your only chance!!!
SPECIAL NOTE:
Due to an extreme shortage of high quality pearl shell worldwide, many of the designs shown here are now in very limited supply and will be withdrawn from sale when the current stock is sold.
The Bone Art Place is a natural fit with Luxury New Zealand and has my special recommendation. They specialize in only the highest quality, genuine work from the very best of our local artists.
Take your time to browse their website, the main sections of which are:
Without doubt, you will find something that appeals...
If you like what you see here, please tell your friends,
But if there's anything on this page or site that jars, please tell me!
