MAORI BONE CARVING FISH HOOK NECKLACE
HAND CRAFTED BY NEW ZEALAND ARTISTS
The bone carving fish hook pictured above is approximately 45mm (1 3/4 inches) in length.
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One traditional bone carving design is the Fish Hook, or Hei Matau, as 'Hei' means to wear around ones neck. This stylised fish hook seen here represents strength, prosperity,abundance, fertility and a great respect for the sea. It also is said to provide good luck and safety when traveling over water and often worn by travelers. Hei-Matau are symbols of power and authority which are held in great reverence by the Maori people. Hei-Matau carvings were used as a practical tool for fishing and were often decorated as a sign of respect for the creatures of the sea. There are many styles of Hei-Matau from the true hook designs to the more ornamental styles which became treasured heirlooms for generations following. Bone carving is a traditional and often sacred craft practiced by some of the more warlike native tribes around the world.
As beautiful pieces of unique wearable art, the Bone Carving Fish Hook is an artistic treasure from New Zealand of great value and significance. Early Maori populations did not have a written language, so tribal history and myths of the Gods were kept alive using many forms of fine arts and crafts ranging from basket and cloth weaving to mother-of-pearl jewellery and intricate bone, shell and jade or greenstone carving. Such carving artifacts were then handed down through generations of tribal elders and became sacred objects, telling the history of a tribe and taking on the spirits of past great leaders and warriors who had worn them.
Bone carving fish hooks based on Maori designs are powerful treasures, and a bonecarving which is worn with respect or given or received with love can take on part of the spirit of the person who wears or handles it. In this way, it can become a spiritual link between people spanning time and distance. A Bone carving fish-hook worn by family or tribal members over many generations contains the spirit of all of those people and is a great and powerful treasure.
NZpacific.com offers beautiful bone carving fish hooks by the New Zealand Maori which are beautiful wearable art works and come in a wide variety of styles from very traditional pieces (such as the fish hook seen above) to the more contemporary or modern styles. Pendants, jewellery and various tools such as needles, spear tips and fish hooks made from bone developed into a fine art form with great importance being placed on every piece, many of which took years to make using stone tools. All have a story or meaning behind the design.
Every Maori Bone Carving purchased through NZ Pacific is presented with a braided or platted waxed braid cord, along with woven native flax bag designed to show the traditional styling and beauty of the carving. Also supplied is an attractive information sheet telling of the meaning of the particular bone carving fish hook.
All prices include Worldwide Airmail Insured Delivery. We ship to USA, Asia, UK, Australia, Canada, and rest of world.
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VIEW ALL BONE CARVING FISH HOOK NECKLACES HERE
