Translucent Bowenite Hei Tiki from Dame Jenny Gibbs Collection
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Large and impressive contact period hei tiki, high translucency indicates bowenite variety stone with white inclusions to the left side of the face and lower section. Type I form with deeply recessed eyes and some wear to the nose and mouth reflecting significant age. Two worn out suspension holes at the top of the head. 12 cm length, . Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection
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- Contact Period - As applied to New Zealand Maori artifacts, the artefact dates from the 1790s to the 1840s
- 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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