The kapeu is a traditional ear pendant, long and slightly curved, worn in stretched earlobes or as a striking necklace. It embodies elegance, prestige, and the revered oratory mana of its wearer. As a taonga of chiefly lineage, the kapeu signifies status and ancestral pride.
Crafted from Kawakawa Pounamu, a rare and treasured variety of nephrite jade, this stone ranges from deep green to almost black, flecked with natural specks and streaks. Named for the kawakawa plant—celebrated in traditional rongoā medicine—it symbolizes strength, resilience, and healing. Historically, this pounamu was fashioned into tools, weapons, and adornments, linking it intimately to survival and protection.
In her unique reimagining, Amie Redpath departs from the customary straight top edge, introducing a subtle, graceful curve that infuses the piece with modern innovation while honoring its ancestral essence. This gentle arc not only enhances the pendant’s fluidity but also deepens the narrative of connection—to land, lineage, and the oceanic voyages that thread through her whakapapa.
Here, history and heritage intertwine with contemporary artistry, carving a story in stone that endures across generations.
95 × 15 × 6mm.
Kapeu — Amie Redpath’s Interpretation
The kapeu is a traditional ear pendant, long and slightly curved, worn in stretched earlobes or as a striking necklace. It embodies elegance, prestige, and the revered oratory mana of its wearer. As a taonga of chiefly lineage, the kapeu signifies status and ancestral pride.
Crafted from Kawakawa Pounamu, a rare and treasured variety of nephrite jade, this stone ranges from deep green to almost black, flecked with natural specks and streaks. Named for the kawakawa plant—celebrated in traditional rongoā medicine—it symbolizes strength, resilience, and healing. Historically, this pounamu was fashioned into tools, weapons, and adornments, linking it intimately to survival and protection.
In her unique reimagining, Amie Redpath departs from the customary straight top edge, introducing a subtle, graceful curve that infuses the piece with modern innovation while honoring its ancestral essence. This gentle arc not only enhances the pendant’s fluidity but also deepens the narrative of connection—to land, lineage, and the oceanic voyages that thread through her whakapapa.
Here, history and heritage intertwine with contemporary artistry, carving a story in stone that endures across generations.
