Title: Wai o ke Lehua
(Nectar of the Ōhi’a flower/ Sacred waters of the Ōhi’a)
Artist: Stacy Gordine
Materials: Tahitian black lip Oyster Pearl Shell,
Waxed Polyester
Dimensions: Width 125mm x Height 110mm
(Curved Shell)
Ancient Hawaiian Atua of the forest, embodied in the Ōhi’a tree and its flowers (Lehua). Deities of rain, forest workers and canoe builders. Ku-ka-ōhi’a-laka (Male deity) Hina-ulu-ōhi’a (Female deity).
Ōhi’a is the principal hardwood tree of the upland forest, growing in wet areas. Its flowers were featured on the alter for hula. The colours range from Red, sacred colour of Ku, also salmon pink, orange and yellow. Legend has it that picking the lehua flowers can cause it to rain. This piece was created in the recent period of heavy rain and interestingly one of the names for pearl shell is lehua. The Ōhi’a tree is known as Rata in Tahiti, Rarotonga and Aotearoa.
April 2025.
Please note: This piece is part of the current exhibition Myths & Legends which is on show from the 1st-31st May. These works will be available to pick up in store (Steph Lusted Jewellery & Objets d'Art, 17 Whitmore Street, Wellington) on Saturday 31st May. Otherwise, if you choose the shipping option, will be couriered out to you on Tuesday 3rd June. Thank you for your understanding. Please contact me directly if you need this piece before these dates.
For International Interest from outside of New Zealand: Please contact me directly for a personalized shipping quote
