Bone Hook pendant

This elegant and classic pendant is based on the Hei Matau, a stylised fish hook carved from bone representing a symbol of wealth in many south sea cultures. Worn around the neck it was thought that so long as you own a fish hook you will have a source of food and provision for your family. These hooks have long been worn by fishermen and sailors to provide luck and protection during journeys over water or while out fishing.

“Hei”, roughly translates as hung around the neck and “Matau” is the word fo provider.

This particular piece is hand carved from a section of Ox bone and is hung on a black rope cord known as a “Kaula” tied using a traditional pattern of binding which attatched real hooks to their trace to be used on the line to catch large fish.