Head Tilt of Hei Tiki - Maori

The Maori's tilted the head of the hei tiki because of a function rather than aesthetics. In shaping the tiki, the Maori used rectangular adze blades in cutting the raw shape into the hard semi-precious greenstone or traditionally whale bone, thus reducing the time and effort in making tiki. Most tiki are one sided but some of the older ones are two-sided. The eyes of the hei tiki also differ with each artist. The Maori Bone Tiki is a beautiful work of art and has been made into pendants which receive many compliments. Traveling and living where the culture is rich with tikis is awesome along with watching this work of art being created.