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Important 19th century Maori…
Lot No.
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Description:
Important 19th century Maori mere green basalt, in dark tones, with reke beehive finial, above lanyard hole, with well carved blade with fine striking edge, old label reading 'The chief remarked that the…were only a poor people and that the only heirloom was the greenstone patu. The one he held in his hand was an heirloom in his tribe and he begged Admiral Tryon to accept it if he would only ask that it should not be showed to parts of the family. The greenstone patu appears to have been a sort of sacrificial weapon with which, in the old days of cannibalism, the victim was killed, the sharp edged end being driven into the side of the victims head, in a line with the temple,' length 33 cm and width 9.5 cm. Provenance: vice Admiral Sir George Tryon (1832-1893), Sotheby's, London, 20 November 1967, lot 116, then Private Collection, then by family descent.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified