At Little Taonga, many of our most beloved and latest pieces draw inspiration from one of the most powerful symbols in Māori taonga (treasures): the breastplate. These striking designs carry centuries of cultural meaning, spiritual significance, and artistic tradition — and wearing one is a way of connecting with that living heritage.
What Is a Māori Breastplate?
In te ao Māori (the Māori world), a breastplate — sometimes called a rei or chest ornament — was worn as a mark of mana (prestige and authority). Traditionally crafted from pounamu (greenstone), bone, or shell, these ornaments were placed over the chest and heart, the seat of emotion and spiritual life. They were taonga passed down through generations, each piece carrying the whakapapa (genealogy) and stories of its wearers.
The Symbolism of the Chest and Heart
In Māori belief, the chest is deeply significant. The heart — ngākau — is considered the centre of feeling, courage, and connection to one's ancestors. Wearing an ornament over the heart was an act of protection and declaration: a statement of identity, lineage, and spiritual strength. Breastplate designs often incorporated curved, flowing forms that echo the natural world — the curve of a wave, the arc of a bird's wing, the spiral of a koru (new growth).
Traditional Materials and Craftsmanship
The most prized breastplates were carved from pounamu — the sacred greenstone found in Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand). Pounamu was considered so precious that it could only be gifted, never sold, and its journey from raw stone to finished taonga was itself a spiritual act. Other materials included pāua (abalone shell), whose iridescent blues and greens were seen as a reflection of the heavens, and whale bone or ivory, which carried its own mana.
Breastplate Designs in Contemporary Māori Jewellery
Today, artists like Cezanne Lyons — a Ngāi Tahu and Rangitāne artist and the designer behind Little Taonga — carry this tradition forward in silver and gold. Contemporary breastplate-inspired jewellery honours the original forms while making them wearable for everyday life. The sweeping lines, the layered curves, and the central placement over the heart all echo the taonga of the past.
Each Little Taonga piece in our Breastplate Designs collection is designed with this cultural depth in mind — a wearable connection to Māori artistry and the stories that have shaped Aotearoa.
Wearing a Breastplate Design with Respect
If you're drawn to breastplate-inspired jewellery, know that wearing it is an act of appreciation for a rich and living culture. We encourage our customers to learn the stories behind their pieces, to share them with others, and to wear them with the care and respect they deserve. Every Little Taonga piece comes with the story of its design — because the meaning is part of the taonga itself.
Explore our Breastplate Designs collection and find the piece that speaks to your heart.