Rei Niho " Shark Tooth" Triangle Pounamu New-Zealand Greenstone

(L55 x D11 x W45) mm / adjustable waxed brown cord

Kōuma; (noun) sternum, breastbone, breastplate, worn over the torso, carries a message of physical as well as symbolic protection for the wearer. 

Early examples of the breastplate in Aotearoa date back to the Māori material culture of the Archaic period, evolving as a type of personal body armour, whilst also mirroring the shape of the human physique.

Māori knowledge, mātauranga intrinsically recognises that that all animate and inanimate elements are infused with spirit or living essence; encompassing the element of stewardship, or kaitiakitanga, associated with the term when it is used in relation to resources, including land and water.

Balance, symmetry, exchange and reciprocity, nurture of growth and replication for the benefit of future generations informs this design; both consciously and unconsciously reinforcing these values in daily life. ref. ‘Pacific Jewellery and Adornment.’

The cultural legacy of Pounamu  is both tangible and intangible: as the acts of making, selling, wearing, admiring, gifting, describing and imagining pieces of greenstone pounamu are expressions of culture in practice. Everyday objects can tell some of these stories and provide accounts of relationships and ways of knowing the world.

Crafted by hand at the Oro Negro Carving Studio on Karangahape Road. We follow Māori Whakairo protocol in crafting taonga that honours the traditions of tangata whenua o Aotearoa.

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 always be taken to minimise impact which could potentially cause hairlines cracks or breaks. Wearing your pounamu close to the skin will always act as a protective measure.