Maori Pounamu Boulder: Taranga and Maui Mythology

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A Maori carved pounamu boulder, Taranga (Mother-of-Maui), the stylised figure with fish tail embracing a female. According to Maori mythology when Maui was born prematurely Taranga (his mother) wrapped his body in her hair and threw into him into the waves. Some sea creatures cared for him hiding him in kelp until a storm sent him back to the beach. Good dark green tone with mid-green inclusions, the back of mildly curved form being the original boulder surface. Height 32.5 cm. Approx. 12.3kgs.

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This item has been included into following indexes:

boulders - greenstone (pounamu, nephrite) 36
Maori artefacts
- folk art 237
- manaia (figure) 422
- mere (club) 567
- other fishing equipment 18

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