SOLD

1800s large Maori greenstone Mere at 36.5cm. Superb form & balance. Beautiful deep dark greenstone. Superior carved hand grip section tapered to graceful blade form with finely defined striking leading edge. Traditional conformation; soft ringed, reke beehive knob finial & conical hourglass, bored lanyard thong hole. Hand worked & sand polish evident. Made from Arahura Jade dark green (almost black) opaque but with peripheral translucency adding beauty and character making it present as a very solid club belying the slim refined elegant silhouette. Supreme example of a Maori Master Carver of this Greenstone Mere club form. Museum Quality. Mere Clubs of high degree are exceedingly respected family heirlooms, they gain considerable mana (respect & power) as they age, win battles and execute more captives & pass down through generations of senior custodians. Mere pounamu was considered to be the most prized of all the greenstone items. They were the main symbol of chieftainship and were extremely valuable to Maori.
Impossible to export out of NZ since the 1930 Heritage Legislation.

DIMENSIONS:  36.5cm (14.4 inches) x 9.5cm (3.75 inches)

MATERIAL:       NZ Nephrite Greenstone. Arahura Jade dark green (almost black) opaque but with peripheral translucency.

WEIGHT:          0.736 kg (2lb)  

CONDITION:    Deep, rich and very dark green age handling patina

PROVENANCE: Old Palmer & Maori Family collection. Fresh to Market Unseen Artifact.