Taonga Aroha Heart - Porcelain Wall Art

A collection of forms inspired by Aotearoa, gathered together around one simple word: aroha.

This handcrafted porcelain heart features Jen's original Taonga design, bringing together a collection of familiar New Zealand forms and motifs in rich red against glossy white porcelain.

There is plenty to discover within the design. Kōwhai leaves sit alongside a double Pikorua, its intertwined form evoking connection and the relationships between people. A Matau, or fish hook, brings a connection with the sea, while several interpretations of the koru flow through the composition.

The sweeping form on the right draws on the unfurling frond of New Zealand's silver fern, while two more stylised koru forms appear below, including the distinctive round interpretation often seen in carved pendants. Inspired by the unfurling fronds of our native ferns, the koru is widely associated with new life, growth and renewal.

And at the base of the design is aroha. Set on a porcelain heart, that simple word takes on a little extra prominence, bringing together a piece filled with references to Aotearoa, connection, growth and love.

We handcraft each heart here in Hawke's Bay using our own porcelain clay recipe, blended with New Zealand kaolin. After glazing, the Taonga artwork is applied using a ceramic transfer made from Jen's original design. The transfer is produced especially for this artwork and isn't commercially available. The heart is then fired again to permanently fuse the decoration to the glaze.

At approximately 16 cm high x 13 cm wide, this is a substantial piece of porcelain wall art and a beautiful gift for someone with a special connection to New Zealand, or simply someone you hold close.

A wire loop is permanently embedded into the back of the porcelain, ready for hanging.

Details

• Handcrafted porcelain heart wall art
• Original Taonga design
• Kōwhai, double Pikorua, Matau, koru and silver fern-inspired motifs
• Aroha detail
• White glazed porcelain with rich red decoration
• Original ceramic transfer, produced especially for this design
• Approximately 16 cm high x 13 cm wide
• Embedded wire loop for hanging
• Handmade in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Handcrafted by Bright Side Ceramics in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

About this design: Taonga is an original JS Ceramics design by Jen in Te Puke. After Jen stepped away from ceramics, Bright Side Ceramics, our ceramics brand here at Dee's Bees, acquired the collection so these distinctive New Zealand designs could continue to be made. Today we handcraft it in Hawke's Bay as part of our Land and Sea Collection.