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A fine mere in rare jade creek Kokopu, pounamu short-handled…
Lot No.
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Description:
A fine mere in rare jade creek Kokopu, pounamu short-handled club, of long teardrop form creating an elegant profile, tapering grip with circular piercing for a thong and pommel cut with three slightly arched ridges, painstakingly smoothed surface, natural mottled deep-green colour. Pounamu was found by the Maori shortly after they settled in New Zealand. Its solidity and durability led the Maori to make tools and weapons with it. Because of its hardness, a whole technique needed to be learnt to carve and shape pounamu into a mere, it could take several days or even several weeks to carve one mere. Therefore, it was a prestigious item to have and the most elaborate were generally the property of a chief, as a symbol of their mana (prestige, authority) and used for ceremonial purposes. This rare mere is a splendid example of a contemporary version of the weapon. National registration is not required for this lot, length 40 cm, width 8.5 cm
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified