Story: Pounamu – jade or greenstone

Contemporary carving

Contemporary carving

This piece is named ‘Matariki’ (the Pleiades constellation), whose pre-dawn rising in June represents the beginning of the Māori New Year. Māori consider this group of stars to represent a mother and her six daughters. There has been an increase in the number of these high-quality, contemporary pounamu artworks. They are often based on traditional designs and concepts, and show a greater level of creativity, made possible by modern carving and polishing tools.

Using this item

Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver
Sculpture by Lewis Gardiner

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How to cite this page:

Basil Keane, 'Pounamu – jade or greenstone - Modern stone work', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/7719/contemporary-carving (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Basil Keane, published 12 Jun 2006