Hand Carved Teko Teko with Pounamu

(TK1G)

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Hand Carved Teko Teko with Pounamu. The teko teko is a carved representation of Maori tribal ancestors and is found in and around meeting houses. These figures also represent guardianship and protection. This teko teko was hand carved by a master carver in Rotorua, New Zealand and is holding a weapon made from New Zealand west coast Pounamu (Greenstone). The eyes were cut from the shell of the paua, a shellfish found in New Zealand waters. The timber used in this carving is native New Zealand Matai.

Size: The Teko Teko measures 440mm (17 1/2 inches) tall, 95mm (3 3/4 inches) wide, 100mm (4 inch) deep.

Weight: 2.3Kg / 5.07 lbs.

This Teko Teko carving was hand carved in Rotorua, New Zealand. This high quality carving is shaped and carved using New Zealand native Matai.

The Carving Process

Initially the talented carver shapes the timber to approximate dimensions. Then the piece is hand carved using traditional and authentic designs which have been passed down through generations. These design depict tribal and family details.

Once the carving is finished, the piece is then dipped into a stain and sprayed with lacquer ensuring the preservation of the timber. The final step of the process is to add the carvings embellishments such as paua eyes, greenstone, feathers and binding if necessary.

The carvers of these pieces have been trained through Maori carving institutions and have spent a long time perfecting their skills making it possible for them to carve to the detail required to ensure each piece is authentic and that each piece represents a part of the history of Maroidom.