{"product_id":"hei-matau-pounamu-sculpture-by-sands-carving-studio","title":"Hei Matau Pounamu Sculpture | by Sands Carving Studio","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful Hei Matau with notiches has been hand carved from N\u003cspan\u003eew Zealand pounamu (greenstone\/ jade) \u003c\/span\u003eby \u003cspan\u003eSands Carving Studio founded by carver Alex Sands- Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa, English, Scottish and Irish\u003c\/span\u003e. The Matau sits on a Kauri wood stand and can also be worn as a pendant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Matau is the Māori name for fishhook, and is a symbol of determination, strength, provision, and safe travel over water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlex Sands- Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa English, Scottish and Irish\u003cbr\u003eRaised 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.\u003cbr\u003eHe was then given the opportunity to learn from one of the master jade carvers at the age of 13, and has since then 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 – jewellery, weapons, tools or musical instruments, all changing their intensity with age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMade in New Zealand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sands Carving Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45647145763007,"sku":"316871","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0355\/4193\/files\/HeiMatauPounamuSculpturewithStandbySandsCarvingStudio1.jpg?v=1779144392","url":"https:\/\/store.aucklandmuseum.com\/products\/hei-matau-pounamu-sculpture-by-sands-carving-studio","provider":"Auckland Museum Online Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}