item details
NameKapeu (ear pendant)
ProductionUnknown; carver; 1650-1850; New Zealand
Classificationear ornaments
Materialsinanga (stone)
Materials SummaryInanga (pounamu)
DimensionsOverall: 15mm (width), 122mm (length), 7mm (depth), 22g (weight)
Registration NumberWE000407
Credit lineBequest of Kenneth Athol Webster, 1969
Overview
This kapeu (ear pendant) has along simple stem terminating in a bend at the lower end. It is madefrom smoothly polished pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) of the inanga variety, much prized for itsof a pearly-white colour.
Maori customary ornamentation varied in form and elaboration. Forms like the kapeu continue to be worn today and are still highly cherished.