Exotic
Materials
Ancient Kauri wood
Kauri trees are among the most ancient in the world. Unfortunately, heavy logging which began around 1820 and continued for a century has considerably decreased the number of Kauri trees in New Zealand. It has been estimated that prior to European colonization, the Kauri forests of northern New Zealand occupied at least 12,000 square kilometers. By the 1950's this area had decreased to about 1,400 km², comprising some 47 forests which were depleted of their best Kauri. By 1900, less than 10% of the original Kauri had survived. It is estimated that today, there is 4% of uncut forest left in small pockets.
Wayne Ross
Black Maire Wood
Black Maire is a medium to large forest tree that grows in colder climates of the central North Island of New Zealand. Black Maire is similar to Ebony and is considered one of the hardest woods in the world. The moderately proportional tree belies the spectacular grain within.
Black Maire, despite the name, has a white to yellow appearance. The grain changes in its cross-section from cream white through brown to contain black streaks.
Papa He'enalu
Koa Wood
The Koa tree is endemic to Hawai'i. It is one of the fastest-growing Hawaiian trees, capable of reaching over 20 feet in five years, but still requires 50 years or more to reach the size required by most users, making farming of Koa difficult.
The Koa population has suffered from grazing and logging. Many wet forest areas, where the largest Koa grow, have been logged out, and it now comes largely from dead or dying trees or farms on private lands. Although formerly used for canoes, there are few Koa remaining which are both large and straight enough to do so today.
Mammoth Ivory
Mammoth tusk ivory comes from the two modified upper incisors (or tusks). Mammoths are believed to have been extinct for 10,000 years. Because of the geographical range in Alaska and Siberia, mammoth tusks have been well preserved. Therefore, recovered mammoth tusks consistently provide high quality, carvable ivory.
Anthony Bray-Heta
Mataī wood
Mataī trees are an endemic New Zealand coniferous tree that grows on the North and South Islands. The timber of this tree was used extensively in New Zealand for flooring during the mid-20th century. Mataī is not threatened, although as a forest-type it has been greatly reduced through widespread logging. Very few intact examples of Matai-dominated forest remain.
Papa He'enalu
Wayne Ross
Pakohe
Pakohe is the metamorphosed sedimentary rock of the Whanganui River and a basement rock of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
It was traditionally used extensively by pre-European Maori for the making of stone tools, but today Pakohe is treasured by the local Maori artist/carvers for its fine grain and beautiful coloration.
Pakohe is being made into magnificent Taonga Whakairo (carved treasures) by carvers who are able to bring forth the wairua (spirit) of the stone by exposing and polishing its stunning blue/black coloration and intricate grey veining.
George Potaka
Puriri Wood
Puriri timber is usually greenish dark brown, but sometimes nearly black or streaked with yellow. It was often used for implements and structures requiring strength and durability.
The Maori preferred other timbers to Puriri as its cross-grain made for difficult carving, but Puriri garden tools and weapons had a long life and legend has it that buckshot used to ricochet off Puriri palisades.
Currently small quantities of Puriri timber are available from time to time around the greater Auckland province and Northland.
Papa He'enalu
Rimu wood
Historically, rimu and other native trees were the main sources of wood for New Zealand, including furniture and house construction. However, many of New Zealand's original stands of rimu have been destroyed, and recent government policies forbid the felling of rimu in public forests, though allowing limited logging on private land. There is limited recovery of stump and root wood, from trees felled many years before, for use in making bowls and other wood turned objects. That is the wood used for the pieces we offer.
Papa He'enalu
Wayne Ross
Totara wood
Tōtara is a species endemic to New Zealand. It grows throughout the North Island and the northeastern South Island. The wood is hard and straight-grained and very resistant to rot. It is prized for its carving properties, and was the primary wood used in Māori carving.
Wayne Ross
Deer Antler
Deer Antler is not "horn", it is actually bone. While the base is quite solid, the upper portions of the antler are very porous. New Zealand deer antlers grow from bud to full antler in 120 days. Between approximately 50 and 60 days, deer farmers humanely harvest the antlers for their velvet. The base, commonly called a button, is then shed during spring. A larger set of antlers is produced each year resulting in a larger and heavier "button". No deer are sacrificed to produce carvings when only naturally shed deer buttons are used.
Ancient Kauri wood
Kauri trees are among the most ancient in the world. Unfortunately, heavy logging which began around 1820 and continued for a century has considerably decreased the number of Kauri trees in New Zealand. It has been estimated that prior to European colonization, the Kauri forests of northern New Zealand occupied at least 12,000 square kilometers. By the 1950's this area had decreased to about 1,400 km², comprising some 47 forests which were depleted of their best Kauri. By 1900, less than 10% of the original Kauri had survived. It is estimated that today, there is 4% of uncut forest left in small pockets.
The most famous specimens are Tāne Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere in Waipoua Forest, a 25 km² forest which contains three quarters of New Zealand's remaining Kauri.
Although today the Kauri tree's use is restricted, a considerable number of Kauri have been found buried in what are today salt marshes, resulting from ancient natural changes such as volcanic eruptions, sea level changes and floods. Such trees have been radiocarbon dated to originating as far back as 50,000 years ago or older. The amazing works of art we proudly represent are carved from this type of ancient Kauri wood.Wayne Ross
Black Maire Wood
Black Maire is a medium to large forest tree that grows in colder climates of the central North Island of New Zealand. Black Maire is similar to Ebony and is considered one of the hardest woods in the world. The moderately proportional tree belies the spectacular grain within.
Black Maire, despite the name, has a white to yellow appearance. The grain changes in its cross-section from cream white through brown to contain black streaks.
Papa He'enalu
Koa Wood
The Koa tree is endemic to Hawai'i. It is one of the fastest-growing Hawaiian trees, capable of reaching over 20 feet in five years, but still requires 50 years or more to reach the size required by most users, making farming of Koa difficult.
The Koa population has suffered from grazing and logging. Many wet forest areas, where the largest Koa grow, have been logged out, and it now comes largely from dead or dying trees or farms on private lands. Although formerly used for canoes, there are few Koa remaining which are both large and straight enough to do so today.
Mammoth Ivory
Mammoth tusk ivory comes from the two modified upper incisors (or tusks). Mammoths are believed to have been extinct for 10,000 years. Because of the geographical range in Alaska and Siberia, mammoth tusks have been well preserved. Therefore, recovered mammoth tusks consistently provide high quality, carvable ivory.
Anthony Bray-Heta
Mataī wood
Mataī trees are an endemic New Zealand coniferous tree that grows on the North and South Islands. The timber of this tree was used extensively in New Zealand for flooring during the mid-20th century. Mataī is not threatened, although as a forest-type it has been greatly reduced through widespread logging. Very few intact examples of Matai-dominated forest remain.
Papa He'enalu
Wayne Ross
Pakohe
Pakohe is the metamorphosed sedimentary rock of the Whanganui River and a basement rock of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
It was traditionally used extensively by pre-European Maori for the making of stone tools, but today Pakohe is treasured by the local Maori artist/carvers for its fine grain and beautiful coloration.
Pakohe is being made into magnificent Taonga Whakairo (carved treasures) by carvers who are able to bring forth the wairua (spirit) of the stone by exposing and polishing its stunning blue/black coloration and intricate grey veining.
George Potaka
Puriri Wood
Puriri timber is usually greenish dark brown, but sometimes nearly black or streaked with yellow. It was often used for implements and structures requiring strength and durability.
The Maori preferred other timbers to Puriri as its cross-grain made for difficult carving, but Puriri garden tools and weapons had a long life and legend has it that buckshot used to ricochet off Puriri palisades.
Currently small quantities of Puriri timber are available from time to time around the greater Auckland province and Northland.
Papa He'enalu
Rimu wood
Historically, rimu and other native trees were the main sources of wood for New Zealand, including furniture and house construction. However, many of New Zealand's original stands of rimu have been destroyed, and recent government policies forbid the felling of rimu in public forests, though allowing limited logging on private land. There is limited recovery of stump and root wood, from trees felled many years before, for use in making bowls and other wood turned objects. That is the wood used for the pieces we offer.
Papa He'enalu
Wayne Ross
Totara wood
Tōtara is a species endemic to New Zealand. It grows throughout the North Island and the northeastern South Island. The wood is hard and straight-grained and very resistant to rot. It is prized for its carving properties, and was the primary wood used in Māori carving.
Wayne Ross
Deer Antler
Deer Antler is not "horn", it is actually bone. While the base is quite solid, the upper portions of the antler are very porous. New Zealand deer antlers grow from bud to full antler in 120 days. Between approximately 50 and 60 days, deer farmers humanely harvest the antlers for their velvet. The base, commonly called a button, is then shed during spring. A larger set of antlers is produced each year resulting in a larger and heavier "button". No deer are sacrificed to produce carvings when only naturally shed deer buttons are used.