Marsden Jade Manawa / Sheridan Duncan

"Manawa" From the Maori word Manawanui - to be steadfast, unwavering, committed, dedicated and staunch. This matte finished manawa with a freehand koru etching has been carved out of marsden jade from Te Tai o Poutini. This taonga belongs to the Manawanui collection that Sheridan created ito aknowledge the fight for cultural survival and cultural identity.

Dimensions: (W)60mm x (L)62mm with adjustable black waxed string.

Artist Bio

Tasman based artist, Sheridan Duncan, creates beautiful hand carved contemporary pounamu jewellery that follows a traditional model of cultural preservation. She has a background in social work but after completing her Master’s Degree in Indigenous studies, she fell in love with pounamu. 

The pounamu is collected in Aotearoa with the utmost respect, following the kaupapa of the local iwi. The pounamu is then blessed within flowing rivers, and held with mana as it is carved, sanded, and polished by hand.

'Pounamu (greenstone) connects the wearer to the past, present and the future.As you wear your taonga (treasure) against your tinana (body), you absorb its whakapapa (genealogy) and it absorbs yours. We all crave identity, purpose and belonging. Pounamu is and will forever be a tangible relic of all that was, all that is, and all that will be… and we are part of that story' Sheridan Duncan