Ngarara (Lizard) neck pendant

item details

NameNgarara (Lizard) neck pendant

ProductionUnknown; carver; 1200-1500; Gisborne

Classificationpendants, pectorals, amulets

Materialswhale bone (bone)

Techniquescarving

DimensionsOverall: 31mm (width), 16mm (height), 100mm (length), 43.1g (weight)

Registration NumberME000643

Credit lineAugustus Hamilton Collection. Purchased 1914

Overview

This rare naturalistic mokomoko or ngārara (lizard) amulet is made from whale bone. It has pectoral limbs, a truncated tail, and a kāniwha (notched) median dorsal line. The face is well delineated with further fine notching to the upper and lower lips. There is a suspension hole in the underside of the truncated tail.

Symbolic meanings
The symbolic meaning of lizard pendants is ambiguous. The lizard is an ill omen often associated with bad fortune or death. Lizards are also thought to be representations of the atua (god) Whiro - the personification of evil and death. Moko is also the broader Polynesian term for lizard or reptile, and it is highly likely that the reptilian pendant form was introduced to New Zealand from East Polynesia. The moko pendant may be an amulet, utilising Whiro's frightening powers for protective purposes while acting as an ariā (spirit manifestation) or taumata (fulfilment of vision) for a different deity or spirit.