John Royal Gallery
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Taa Moko
  • Comments
  • Jade, Bone, and Shell Art
  • Maori Artists
  • Australian Artists

He Tangata

SKU:
$75.00
$75.00
Unavailable
per item
He Tangata Poupou

Poupou represent  ancestral figures and  may warn of impending storms and the heralding of news and events from afar.

Pāua shells are recognized as taonga, or treasure, esteemed both as kaimoana --seafood and as a valued resource for traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. Pāua are frequently used to represent the eyes in Māori carvings and traditionally are associated with the stars or whetū, the symbolic eyes of ancestors that gaze down from the night sky.
It is believed that a carving -- taonga -- which is worn with respect or given and received with love, takes on part of the spirit of those who wear or handle it. In this way it becomes a spiritual link between people spanning time and distance. A carving that has been worn by family or tribal members over many generations contains the spirit of all of those people and is truly a great and powerful treasure.  
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
Add to Cart
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.