Tangiwai, Pendant; RI.W2011.3212
Tangiwai, Pendant
About this object
This is an unfinished bowenite tangawai pounamu pendant. The pendant is made from a slither and as it has a bevel ground on all sides it was probably intended to be an ear pendant.
Tangawai Pounamu:
Different from the common nephrite pounamu, Tangiwai is bowenite and geologically the oldest form of New Zealand greenstone. It originates from two isolated locations in Fiordland and is known as the tear-water stone. The name originates from the words tangi, ‘to cry’ and wai, ‘water or tears’. Tangiwai comes from great sorrow and is associated with sad stories and legends. The translucent clear glass like olive green to bluish green tones of the stone give a sense of this sorrow.
bowenite pounamu/tangawai
Measurements
h 75 mm x w 10 mm x d 2 mm
Weight: 8.95g
RI.W2011.3212
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