Artwork Information

Rahapa Hinetapu was a Te Arawa chieftainess. Her earrings or kuru-pounamu are made from New Zealand greenstone and Māori women wore these as part of their daily dress. The shape is that of the inanga or the indigenous whitebait; a juvenile fish and appreciated delicacy to Māori and Pakeha.

A hole bored at the top of the earrings also doubled as an eye as well as an attachment for a suspension cord. (Chic Colonials: Ataahua, 2003)