Brooch

Thisbeautiful displaybrooch is crafted from a quality,kawakawa variety pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) and finely worked 9 caratgold in the style of the late 19th century–early 20th century period. As such, it combines the mineral most precious to Maori – pounamu – with that most precious to Europeans – gold.

The flowing gold writing reads 'Arohanui Kia Taua' and identifies the brooch as a taonga (treasure) specifically crafted as a gift. The phrase can be translated either as 'With love to grandmother' or, if Taua is a personal name, 'With love to Taua'. The word taua is commonly used by Ngai Tahu Maori in the South Island to mean grandmother or aunt.