Jade Country by Theo Schoon

Jade Country

by Theo Schoon

Jade Arts, 1973, [First Edition], ISBN 0909250006, colour photographic plates, colour photographic frontispiece, paperback

Very Good Condition, a little edge and shelf wear, a little rubbing to edges, foxing to covers (see photographs)

“Through his passionate interest and understanding and his deep insight into Maori art, much has been done for New Zealand in reviving aspects of this neglected cultural past.
He played a major role in the recording of the art forms of the early Maori, locating and photographic ancient rock drawings previously unknown.
Theo Schoon is acknowledged as a world authority on the growing and preserving of gourds, carving onto them the intricate patterns learned from the Maori art of wood-carving and tattoo and applying his own style to them.
Another of his absorbing projects has been photographic study of the fantastic wonders of nature in the Rotorua thermal regions which have inspired hi in matters of design.
He finally turned his talents to jade, designing and carving many beautiful pendants, blending the Maori with his own unique style into objects of distinction in this national gemstone material.  Some of these are illustrated in this book, and it is hoped they may inspire others to venture into the creation of distinctive objects in gemstones rather than the usual small cabochon so often produced by lapidaries today.
His 105 colour plates and six pages of drawings show the wide range of his study, observation and experience in this fascinating story of jade.”