This Hei Tiki is carved from a beautiful Kokopu jade (named after the markings on our native Galaxid – ‘trout’). The back of this pendant shows a heart of a light blue Inanga with orange stripes. A quite stunning piece of stone, a quality piece of jade the likes of which is rare especially from the Nelson area! Lovely stone to work and this pendant is a precious treasure (taonga). The hei tiki form has it’s meaning obscured by time but most commonly is seen as representing Tiki, the first human. There are other possible meanings relating to fertility and also the unborn human form.
