This wood wall plaque shows an ornate Hei Tiki with paua shell eyes. A hei tiki is a considered a symbol of good luck and of fertility, sometimes representing an unborn human or the first man. This imagery is most commonly used for carved stone necklaces.
A label on the back indicates it's hand carved by Ruihana, Rotorua, New Zealand. Ruihana refers to Louis (sometimes Lou) "Ruihana" Phillips, and he and his wife Mere Matekino's business "Ruihana Carvings" which created Maori carvings starting in 1976-ish until they went out of business in 1989. They often carved traditional weapons, masks and statues for the tourist trade.
An interesting article about their journey is posted here: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TUTANG19840301.2.58
Physical Characteristics
- Material
- Wood
- Colour
- Brown / Light Blue
- Dimensions
- 5.5"W x 1"L x 12"H
- Imagery
- Kane or Man
- Marking
- Hand Carved by Ruihana, Rotorua, New Zealand
