This Maori Made Putorino Flute on a stand is a beautiful piece of Maori carving, and a lovely musical instrument as well.

The putarino is made by a carver of Ngati Kahungungu/ Tu Wharetoa descent, a graduate of the NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, Rotorua.  James lives in the Bay of Plenty.

This putorino measures approximately 61cm x 6cm x 4cm, and rests on a carved stand measuring approximately 59.5cm x 9.5cm x 7.5cm.  It is made from beautiful native timber matai.

Whilst some Maori musical instruments have links to the islands they migrated from, putorino are unique to New Zealand Maori.  It can be played in 3 ways. There is a mouthpiece at one end, and a larger hole in the middle. The flute can be played as a cross-blown flute, or it can be played as a trumpet, or it can be cross-blown through the central opening.  

The putorino is traditionally carved from one piece of wood, split in half lengthwise, then the two halves are hollowed out.  They are then lashed back together.  This putorino has been carved in the traditional way. The finest putorino, like this one, have the widest part of the putorino carved as a head (wheku) with a large open mouth (mangai).  They are carved at both ends with human faces too.  The legend of Tutanekai and Hinemoa states that Tutanekai played a love song on the putorino, across the water from Mokoia Island to mainland Rotorua.  Hineraukatauri is the goddess and guardian of Maori flutes, so your putorino comes with this spiritual entity.

Purchase the putorino as a beautiful piece of carving, or to add to your musical instrument collection.  A lovely presentation piece or corporate gift too.

Shipped worldwide.