Putiputi Serpentine Toki

This Putiputi Serpentine Toki is a taonga representing strength, leadership, determination, and resilience. Hand-carved by 16-year-old Māori carver Hemi Smiler Smith, this piece honours the traditional form of the toki (adze), a symbol of achievement, wisdom, authority, and the ability to shape one's own path.

The broad profile gives this toki a distinctive appearance, with a flowing curved edge and carefully shaped form. Its generous proportions create a substantial taonga that celebrates the traditional design of the toki while showcasing the natural beauty of the stone.

Carved from serpentine, this piece features a beautiful combination of golden-yellow, creamy and pale green tones. Natural darker and reddish markings run throughout the stone, creating unique patterns and colour variations that give this taonga its own individual character.

The contrasting colours and natural markings create a distinctive appearance, with the golden tones flowing into softer green shades towards the base. These natural variations highlight the character of the stone and make this piece one of a kind.

The toki is finished with black cord binding and a braided necklace, complementing the natural colours of the stone while providing a clean and balanced finish.

🔹 Material: Putiputi Serpentine
🔹 Design: Toki (Adze)
🔹 Dimensions: 110 × 52 × 12 mm
🔹 Colour: Golden-yellow, cream and pale green with natural darker and reddish markings
🔹 Binding: Black cord binding
🔹 Necklace: Braided black cord
🔹 Finish: Hand-polished
🔹 Carver: Hemi Smiler Smith, Māori carver
🔹 Location: Hand-carved in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa New Zealand
🔹 One-of-a-kind: Natural stone patterns and colour variations make every taonga unique

Whether worn as a personal reminder of strength and determination, treasured for its distinctive natural colours, or gifted to someone special, this Serpentine Toki celebrates traditional Māori carving and the natural beauty of New Zealand stone.

Created with intention. Worn with meaning.

Exclusively available through Te Toki Toru Pounamu.