New Zealand Carved Bone Pendants - Dolphin Parent & Baby

New Zealand Carved Bone Pendants – Dolphin Parent and Baby

Bone carving is a customary and often sacred craft practiced by the New Zealand Maori people. Pendants, jewellery and various tools such as needles, spear tips and fish hooks, made from bone, developed into an art form with great importance being placed on every piece. Traditionally, whale bone was carved laboriously using stone tools, and was only second to Greenstone (pounamu) or jade as the most desirable carving material. Today, cow bone is most often used with whale bone (from whales that have been washed up on shore) only being used for very culturally important pieces.

Cleaned cow bone provides the most accessible material for bone carvers. It has a uniform white finish, much like ivory, little grain and holds detail readily. Bone carvings have a special feel about them with their milky white appearance and soft flowing lines. They are soft and warm to touch, with a finish like polished glass. When worn against the skin, the bone absorbs oils and over time, will change colour to a very light honey gold. Maori believe that the carving becomes a part of you, taking on some of your spirituality or essence.

Each piece is hand carved from cow bone, in Wellington, New Zealand and includes waxed braid that is left untied so that you can fasten it at your preferred length.

Dolphin Parent and Baby – NEW

The ocean has always been the dominant force for the Maori people who travelled huge distances in their long canoes and lived on the bounty of the tropical waters. Maori have a great respect for the creatures on the sea and in particular dolphins and whales. Comes with a complimentary velvet pouch. Measures approx. 4cm (1.5 inches) wide.