This 125mm x 25mm hand-carved bovine bone Toki (adze) features symmetrical curving Paua shell inlays and engraved motifs representing traditional Maori flax weaving patterns (Raranga). It is a powerful Maori Pendant symbolizing the strength of leadership and the interconnectedness of tribal bonds and heritage.
The Toki is a foundational entity in Maori material culture, originally a functional tool for shaping the great waka and meeting houses of Aotearoa. This specific specimen elevates the adze form through the inclusion of Raranga (weaving) motifs, which represent the binding of people and the unity of the Whānau (family). The dual Paua shell inlays—the "eyes of the ancestors"—provide spiritual vigilance from both sides of the carving. Hand-polished from ethically sourced bone, this "living taonga" absorbs the wearer's Mauri (life force) over time, maturing into a signature honey-gold patina that records a unique Whakapapa (lineage).
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