Maori Taonga - Maori Jewellery Reference

Haere Mai (Welcome Everyone!), feel free to use this as reference for any Maori carvings you may be interested in doing.

You can also combine different the different forms presented here (as often done) to create a piece that has multiple meanings (this is ideal if you intend to make one as a gift). The Taonga (treasures) are usually always given as gifts (especially your first carved pieces which are usually given to a master or parent/guardian or other equivalent).

Materials that are traditionally used are Bone and Pounamu (jade/greenstone) along side with Paua (rainbow abalone - used as inlays for eyes), but feel free to experiment with other materials (such as wood and metal) and creating other forms of jewelry with the forms presented here such as rings, earrings, bracelets etc. (they don't always have to be necklace pieces - although wearing Taonga as a necklace piece is traditional).

Also, please be aware that different tribes (although similar) have their own styles of these forms which is well worth studying. I recommend Stephen Myers book; Bone Carving - A skill base of techniques and concepts.

The main thing to remember with carving Taonga, is to keep it simple and let the material you're working with inspire you (as my ancestors did). However, back in the days when my ancestors made Taonga, it was a serious business which always involved their own spirituality. So I ask you, for those that are interested in creating Maori jewellery (whether it be modern or traditional) that you please respect this art form and treat it with care (as it has a history of being thrown around in the commercial world where much of its original importance has been stripped). Otherwise besides that, have fun, I will be uploading more in the future.