Smooth lines, soft finishes, no scratches and no cuts.
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The Niho is a symbol of guardianship, trust and protection.
The Niho (Tooth) design depicts the ocean’s most powerful creatures.In Māori culture, whales were considered gifts of the ocean and believed to be treasures cast onto the beach by Tangaroa (god of the sea). Sharks also play a role in Māori mythology and are symbolic of guardianship, trust and protection.
Gift, with love
Every detail of our packaging is thoughtfully curated, from sustainable, low-ink, recyclable materials to personalised touches like mini-meaning cards and artist profiles. For an extra special touch, our Premium Gift Wrapping service means we wrap your piece in elegant kraft paper, tied with natural string and a woven jute ribbon.
James Pirika
The artist behind this creationJames is an emerging pounamu carver whose journey began in the Mountain Jade Studio after finishing high school. With a talent for storytelling through his art, his path has been one of exploration, growth, and a deep connection to his culture.
After spending seven years honing his craft within the walls of our studio and learning the foundations of carving from Tamaora Walker, James felt the pull of the wider world, embarking on a four-year hiatus, eager to soak up diverse experiences and perspectives. This time away from carving moulded him, shaping his perspectives and outlook on life and growing his collection of stories to tell.
A talisman connected to Māori mythology, the Niho symbolises strength, leadership and resilience, and is commonly associated with two animals - the whale and the shark.
Niho (Tooth)
Traditionally, whale teeth are important cultural objects throughout the Pacific. When a whale washed up onto the shores, Māori would use its meat as food, the blubber as preserving oil, and the bones and teeth were carved into adornments and weaponry. Mako (shark tooth adornments) were also highly esteemed and treasured by Māori and often worn from the ear. Today, we carve whale and shark necklaces from beautiful pieces of greenstone to continue with tradition and connect people with their history, heritage and land.