Smooth lines, soft finishes, no scratches and no cuts.
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The Manaia is a guardian and protector.
The Manaia is a messenger and spiritual kaitiaki (guardian) of the sky, earth and sea.A greatly respected mythological creature in Māori culture, it brings balance and protection to those you love most.
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Every detail of our packaging is thoughtfully curated, from sustainable, low-ink, recyclable materials to personalised touches like mini-meaning cards and artist profiles. For an extra special touch, our Premium Gift Wrapping service means we wrap your piece in elegant kraft paper, tied with natural string and a woven jute ribbon.
Daniel Malcolm
The artist behind this creationDaniel's journey into the world of pounamu carving is a personal mission to revive Toi Māori (Māori arts) within his family. Training under the watchful eyes of mentors Tamaora Walker and Akapita Scally, he is driven by the intricacies and precisions demanded of the art form, approaching each day in the studio as a chance to hone his skills. Drawing inspiration from whakairo rakau (wood carving) and tā moko (Māori tattoo), he aspires to carve complex designs into stone with the same mastery.
What Manaia traditionally meant to Māori remains somewhat a mystery, but commonly it is considered that they are magical creatures and spiritual kaitiaki (guardians) of things worth protecting.
Manaia
Believed to be a messenger that moves freely between the spirit realm and the human world, the manaia is a mythological creature, greatly respected in Māori culture and a predominant motif in wood and greenstone carving. Māori culture is rich in pūrākau (legends), and within these legends, mythological, supernatural, and magical creatures are featured prominently, often acting as kaitiaki (guardians) of people or places worth protecting.