Hei Tiki Pounamu Pendant | by Alex Sands

 This Hei Tiki has been carved from New Zealand pounamu (greenstone/ jade) by Alex Sands - Ngāti Kahungunu.

The Hei Tiki is the Māori representation of the human form and one's ancestors. Some believe that Tiki was the first man while others believe that he created the first man.
‘Hei’ denotes an object or garment worn around the neck and ‘tiki’ is used to describe humanoid forms carved from pounamu (Nephrite jade), wood, bone or other materials

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.

Made in New Zealand