Set of 5 Wooden Kowhaiwhai Tile Art

Set of 5 Wooden Kowhaiwhai Tile Art

A set of five Wall mounted or free standing Kowhaiwhai feature tiles with related story on the back, presented in stylish window envelopes. Design by Mike Carlton.

Size: Each tile measures 140mm (5.5 inches) x 140mm (5.5 inches) x 10mm (0.4 inches)

Mike Carlton

Mike Carlton is of Ngati Whakaue descent (Te Arawa sub-tribe) with affiliations to the Hinemoa Point Marae in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Kowhaiwhai

This range of tile art, whilst contemporary, seeks to capture the variery and beauty of the differing traditional styles of Kowhaiwhai.

Kowhaiwhai is the generic name used to describe the decorative patterns used to adorn the ridgepole (tahu) and rafters (heke) of the Maroi meeting house (whare-nui). These patterns were typically painted in red, black and white. The oldest known examples of kowhaiwhai are those painted and carved onto paddles and the bow of Maori war canoes (waka taua). Kowhaiwhai evolved over time to become more a part of house design with the gradual decline of the war canoe and the growing popularity of the meeting house as the principle symbol of tribal prestige and unity.

The koru or pitay (frond shape) and the kape (crescent) are the most common design elements, usually mirrored and reflected to form continuous geometric patterns.

This feature tile is designed to be free-standing or wall mounted.