Description

Contemporary Maori art manaia

Another beautiful framed carving by our Maori artist Mike and his team in Rotorua. Another beautiful framed artwork that will look good in anyone’s home or office.

We love the Maori mythology and the manaia design is one of our favourite designs. You will find manaia designs in many artworks, carvings and jewellery. My favourite little bone carving is a manaia.

This beautiful manaia carving is also crafted from plantation grown gaboon using laser technology. This piece of art boasts super fine detail. Also beautiful paua inlay. And the manaia is mounted on an earth toned background inside a shadow box. Each piece is individually signed by our Maori artist Mike Carlton and comes complete with wall mount and related story at the back.

• Overall size framed manaia: 170mm x 222mm x 28mm (6.69″x 8.74″ x 1.10″)
• comes with wall mount and back stand
• description at the back of the frame

Information about the manaia

The manaia is a guardian spirit (a supernatural being) and plays an important role in the Maori world. To the Maori every person on Earth has a Guardian Spirit which can be described as an unseen light surrounding each individual.

During life this guardian is a protector from evil and untimely accident. At death the guardian guides the spirit of the departed person safely to a spiritual doorway where it is re-united with the ancestors from the ancient homeland of Hawaiki.

‘Te Manaia’ (the manaia) are usually depicted in side profile. They symbolise their role as messengers (ie. part in the spirit world and part in the earthly world). They normally have the had of a bird (sky) the body of a man (earth) and the tail of a fish (sea) symbolic of the balance they have between the realms.

The three fingers and toes have varied tribal meanings. To some they represent birth, life and death. But to others they represent the three baskets of knowledge and yet to others faith, hope and love.

And sometimes ‘Te Manaia’ is depicted with a fourth finger, symbolising the afterlife.

Source: Mike Calton – Maori artist

Or check out the beautiful framed Maori tiki >>

Love the manaia design? We also feature beautiful manaia greenstone pendants >>