This is a very special stone. It is a huge 51 kg river worn pounamu boulder discovered on the West Coast four generations ago. Not only is it sacred because it is pounamu, but it has a natural koru clearly evident in the grain. The koru is the New Zealand fern frond, the budding fern, so represents new life. The stone itself is very powerful. It has mauri (life force), and is totally unique. It has been blessed by a local koumatua. It is set into a kete (basket), carved from a huge red beech burr, which surrounds the stone in a loving embrace. Where koru face each other, they form a manawa, or heart. I call the scuplture "Aroha Pounamu". Most of the rhind has been worn off the stone, over thousands of years of the river flowing over it, revealing a stunning kawakawa (deep green) coloured heart. Some of the rhind is still evident on the back, providing a rich contrast with parts of the heart showing through. The new kaitiaki (guardian) of this stone will enjoy rich blessings from it's mana, to enjoy for themselves and their friends (everyone that sees it goes "WOW!"), or to give as the ultimate gift. Alternatively, it would make anamazing adornment for a corporate foyer or offices.
