Seddon Terrace is giving away a stunning hei matau pounamu hook, carved from genuine flower jade from the Marsden, West Coast area. Flower jade is unique to the Marsden region and some of the most rare and prized greenstone in the world, held in high esteem by Māori. It is a highly translucent light green, free from dark spots and other flaws, with distinctive pale green or ochre clouds of colour. This distinctive patterning and colouring comes from the outside rim or rind of the greenstone boulders where the surface has oxidised.
The sea has long been the main source of food for Māori, so a high-quality fishhook was a very valuable item to own. Hei matau or the fishhook became a symbol of prosperity, abundance, good health, power, authority and respect for the sea and the life in it. They are thought to provide good luck and safety when travelling across water.
Seddon Terrace takes its name from a place tucked away on the famed gold-mining mecca of the South Island’s West Coast. This special place was named after one of New Zealand’s most famous Prime Ministers, Richard Seddon, who was known for his pursuit of fairness and quality in the gold mining industry. Honouring Seddon’s tenacity and New Zealand’s rich gold mining history, Seddon Terrace brings together the finest quality precious metals with unique and worldly craftsmanship to create evocative and timeless jewellery.
This piece is hand-carved by Graeme Wylie and is 37mm long and 23mm wide.
To go in the draw to win this beautiful piece, just sign up to receive The Colombo newsletter. Winner drawn Thursday 20 October.