ToeToe Porcelain Dipping Bowl

The giant tussock grasses of toetoe, sporting numerous large creamy flower plumes on tall stems, are an iconic part of the New Zealand landscape. Most New Zealanders would be familiar with toetoe, perhaps having played with the flowering stems as a child, but might be surprised to learn that toetoe is actually five discrete, but similar looking, species each with marked differences in distribution.
 
The major traditional use for toetoe was to line the inner walls, roofs, and partitions of houses and other buildings with the stems (culms) called kākaho, producing a neat finish. The hollow culms were also used as shafts for hunting arrows, straws and pipes, spears in games, and frames for kites. 
 
Kākaho are still used in tukutuku panels, the ornamental lattice-work put around the walls of meeting houses. The vertical stakes are traditionally made of kākaho culms, with horizontal rods of bracken stalks or strips of tōtara, and a pattern woven among them of harakeke, kiekie or pīngao. Leaves were sometimes used for weaving mats and baskets, after first removing the sharp leaf margins.
 
Made from white porcelain, inside semi-gloss clear glaze with decal and unglazed outside.
 
These pieces feature irregularities in both shape and form; this is part of the organic nature of the collection.
 
“Certified food safe, dishwasher and microwave safe.”
 
Size D7 x H2 cm
 
We pack all pieces with utmost care so they can be sent by courier or hand carried anywhere in the world.   
 
Thank you for supporting New Zealand made.