Purple Huia Feather Earrings

Eye-catching and lightweight feather earrings cut from a recycled bottle, these change with the light illuminating their gorgeous colour. Note that the image shows glass illuminated with light, they appear noticeably darker otherwise.

The design is based on the tail feather of the New Zealand native Huia bird which became extinct in the early 1900's. The bird was considered Tapu (sacred) to the Maori people and the wearing of the distinctive tail feather was restricted to people of high status.

In Māori culture huia were rare, sacred birds, treasured for their plumes. Their feathers were mostly worn by people of high rank. Credible sightings are recorded as late as the sixties. The value of huia feathers went beyond rank, with a marekeo of 12 tail feathers worn as a war plume. Feathers were also worn at tangi (funerals) and to decorate the heads of the deceased. The huia is said to have been a quiet and social bird. They weren’t strong fliers and moved easily along the ground or amongst trees.

Huia had black feathers and the females had the distinct long beaks, which were great for digging into dead wood for bugs. Their beaks were ivory white and they had twelve long tails feathers. The tail feathers have inspired our stunning recycled glass jewellery design.

Hook is handcrafted from recycled Sterling Silver.

Earring length: 40mm (1.6in) not including hook.

Due to the nature of the process and the use of recycled materials, colour and size may vary slightly from photo

Glass source: Purple - Hendricks Midsummer Solstice Gin

Designed by designer Heidi Gilgenberg for StoneArrow.