Maori Bone & Jade Carvings | NZ Carved Sculptures & Statues

Maori Bone Carving Meanings

iconic NZ Maori designs

Maori Carvers

Maori Jade Carvings

jade, New Zealand greenstone, pounamu

Hokitika, known for its beautiful rimu forests, its granite cliffs and of course because the pounamu district is the source of the finest jade of the NZ west coast.

Pounamu has been used since the dawn of mankind for the creation of tools, weapons, and adornments. The highly valued ornamental stone is found on the South Island, especially on the western side. Hence the Maori name of this part of New Zealand; Te Wai Pounamu (the greenstone waters).

The most regarded heirlooms were made of this type of jade. When tribal wars were ended, pounamu was used as a gift to seal the peace treaty. Especially pounamu weapons such as the mere or patu, being signs of chieftainship, were valued.

Whale Sculptures

the whale, Maori symbol of protection

The whale tail design symbolizes the Maori appreciation of these animals. Whales were considered guardians of the seas and children of the god of the sea Tangaroa. The fact that tradition notes whales guiding human sea travelers to safety adds to their status of sacred animals. Upon today whales are very much respected and thought to be part of the Maori ancestors.

In areas with many whales often sharks were absent which is another reason for the whale tail being a symbol of protection.

Out of respect for nature and because the abundance of fish the Maori had no need (nor the means) to hunt for whales. Only stranded whales were used for food, bones, teeth, and oil.

Nowadays the whale is still highly regarded by New Zealanders which also explains the demand for whale tail sculptures.

Various Guest Artists

For more whale carvings and other masterpieces click here

Whale Tail Carvings

the children of the master of the sea, Tangaroa

For bigger photos of these and other black jade carvings click here

Peter Bishop Carvings

This one-off whale tail sculpture is of the hand of Peter Bishop. This renowned carving artist comes from the wild west coast of New Zealand's South Island. Peter Bishop is undoubtedly one of the most skilled master carvers in New Zealand. The large part of his work is crafted from the very rare and exotic flower jades.

Peter Bishop is also an advocate for the preservation of ancient crafts. This dedication combined with his distinctive style make him a worldwide respected and acknowledged carver.

For more work of Peter Bishop click here

Koru Trinity Carving

triple deities, three phases in life

Nga Toru - three
Trinity - a unity of three

This carving symbolizes unfolding. The central part being a twist that turns three fold expressing infinity and the trinity. In Hermetic tradition three represents the power of procreation and imagination.

The double koru shaped pounamu (greenstone jade) base representing power, motion, and change. This sculpture combines the ancient symbolism of the trinity and the ancient seed of life (the Maori Koru), thus resembling the power of integration.

Another view of the Trinity has to do with the triune nature of God:

"As God is three separate aspects working as one, so is man in three parts as one: body, soul and spirit" (1st Thessalonians 5:23)

Three Phases in Life, Te Kore, Te Po, Te Ao.
Maori tradition knows three phases of creation and life. 'Te Kore' is the period of energy and potential. The promise of the unborn child. Also referred to as the Nothingness, the primordial beginning of all life. 'Te-Po' literally means the night or the world below. Symbolic for existence or the developing stages we go through throughout our lives. 'Te Ao' is reality, the world of light. Symbolizes the end of the earthly journey and the beginning of the next.

Wairua Ora

pounamu carving by Kerry Thompson

Wairua - spirit or soul
Ora - alive (also used as a greeting or farewell, or a good luck wish)

The Maori term wairua also refers to the gift of life, passed on by ancestors. Wairua is eternal, and has to do with personality, and individuality. Some say it is a measure of the creators own personality placed in each one of us.

"a good example of expression of wairua is deja vu and reading the future. You meet a person and connect deeply in a short time. There is something in their wairua that aligns with yours. perhaps at an ancestral level you are connected or perhaps in days to come your uri will be attached to theirs. Wairua is outside of the bounds of time, just like the creator is outside of the bounds of time. this is why wairua can reveal the future. Dreams in the sleep, also often close down the mind, and this lessens the control of the time bound consciouness. this allows the persons wairua to sometimes operate very freely and peek outside of the bounds of time, which is where dreams of the departed or the future occur, because the te aowairua knows no bounds of time."

Source: maori.org.nz

This greenstone carved sculpture is made by Kerry Kapua Thompson. For more of his carvings click here

Bone Koruru Carving

guardian with owl eyes

Koruru - Carved head
ruru - Native NZ owl (In Maori mythology the nocturnal ruru owl is associated with the spirit world.)

Koruru are Maori carved heads or masks with typical owl eyes. (koruru is Maori for owl eyes) The koruru was traditionally situated at the apex of carved houses (whare whakairo) as a gable mask. With its penetrating eyes its purpose was to keep guard over the people.

The carved heads typically depicted a certain ancestor with a heroic status (mostly a chief). This tipuna, which means ancestor of significance, was in fact the name giver of the building.

For more koruru and other works click here

Puzzled (Our Sacred Land)

greenstone sculpture by Kelvyn Anderson

This sculpture is named Puzzled or Our Sacred Land. It is a large freestanding sculptural abstract representation of the complexity and interaction between all the elements in nature over the millennia of evolution, every one of which is locked into and dependent on the other. It is expressed in the form of a fossil with pieces of natures puzzle captured in the most ancient and sacred of stones.

Made by Kelvyn Anderson. For more click here.

Kelvyn Anderson

carvings based on Maori and Moriori culture

Awa, The Sacred River

This carving is titled Awa or Sacred River and is created by Hepi Maxwell. A small freestanding sculpture representing the flowing waters from the mountains on the left to the sea on the right. More work of this master carver here.

New Life (Koru)

These artifacts are made by Hepi Maxwel and resemble new life, new beginnings, and eternity.



More on the koru design.

Maori Bone Carving

The Hatchling is a small desktop sculpture made from deer antler bone.

Jade Tuatara Carving

lizzard, symbol of supernatural

The tuatara is a greenish brown reptile native to New Zealand measuring up to 80 cm (31 in) from head to tail-tip. Tuatara is a Maori word which means "peaks on the back" or "spiny back". The tuatara, also known as the great lizard, is the last surviving member of its order of lizards.

Nowadays considered a treasure (taonga) tuatara were historically feared for being the messenger of the god of death and disaster, Whiro. Maori women were forbidden to eat these god like creatures (ariki). Today they are considered guardians (kaitiaki) "of the trails to the realms of the mind and spirit that give humans life". The lizard also resembles life and death.

Kaitiaki

guardian,

by Luke Gardiner.
Freestanding Pounamu sculpture on driftwood stand
One of a kind piece from Luke's own private collection

Interesting Pounamu Facts

New Zealand Carving Stores

the best shops for Maori bone and jade carvings