A 19th/20th century Maori rare bowenite pounamu hei tiki, red…
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A 19th/20th century Maori rare bowenite pounamu hei tiki, red sealing wax to the eyes, hands clasped to thighs, height 86 cm. Provenance: 'Given to owner by Tom Sterland in 1958-9. Tom Sterland born Stewart Island 1896-7. As a lad he helped sealers and given to him for luck at about age 10-12. Worn by Tom Sterland until given to owner. Original owner was a local Maori woman, so it could be considerably older.'

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  • Bowenite - Bowenite is a semi-precious stone, usually light or dark green, but also found in colors ranging from light yellow, canary yellow, brown, blue and gray. One of the largest deposits is in the South Island of New Zealand, where it was used for tools, weapons and jewellery by the Maori, and known as greenstone and tangiwai. Other deposits are in South Africa and China.

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