Whalebone Earrings | by Alex Sands

These beautiful earrings have been hand carved from Whalebone by Alex Sands - Ngāti Kahungunu.

Whalebone or parāoa is a special medium for Māori artists for both its physical and spiritual meaning. The usage of whalebone as a carving medium is deeply rooted in the wish to create a meaningful continuum of the animals whose bones have been transformed through this process.

Alex Sands- Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa, English, Scottish and Irish was raised in New Zealand and for a time in China. It was while in China his love for creating began in soft stone carving. He carved small intricate things with basic tools, files and small chisels. At the age of 12 he was inspired by the jade creations of the world and the pounamu creations of his Māori ancestors.
He was then given the opportunity to learn from one of the master jade carvers at the age of 13. Alex has since gained his diploma in Māori wood carving. Alex enjoys using one material to complement another, whether merging stone with bone or simply the colour of the cord used with a pendant. Natural New Zealand materials allow a diverse range of colour, character and use for jewellery, weapons, tools or musical instruments, all changing their intensity with age.

NB: Due to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ) export limitations, Whalebone pieces cannot be exported outside of New Zealand.