| Native Name | Hei Toki Pounamu |
| Object Number | P3121 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Maori |
| Provenience | New Zealand |
| Period | Te Huringa I Period |
| Date Made | 1800 - 1900 CE |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Greenstone |
| Description | A hei toki pounamu (adze-shaped nephrite pendant) made of kawakawa (a common variety of New Zealand greenstone). It is quadrangular and flat with a slight beveled edge. There is a circular perforation at the butt end. This pendant is in the shape of a toki. Pendants could be made from toki pounamu (nephrite adze blade) as they become smaller over time due to repeated working of the blade to sharpen it or repair fractures. As pounamu (nephrite) is valued because of the time and work that is put into creating objects from it, a cycle of repair, reuse, or repurposing was common. A toki is also a symbol of power and strength. |
| Length | 14.5 cm |
| Width | 5.6 cm |
| Depth | 0.5 cm |
| Credit Line | Purchased from W. O. Oldman, 1912 |
| Other Number | 30657 - Dealer's Number |
Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.