2754 - Massive Oceanic Polished Green Nephrite Jade Maori Hand War Club Mere Pounamu. New Zealand, early-mid 20th century A.D. Polished and of flattened spatulate form with a ribbed terminal pierced for attachment. Cf. Elsdon, B., The Maori as He was: a Brief Account of Life as it was in Pre-European Days, Wellington, 1934, p.158, fig.59. 1.33 kg, 37 cm (14 1/2 in.).

Massive Oceanic Polished Green Nephrite Jade Maori Hand War Club Mere Pounamu. New Zealand, early-mid 20th century A.D. Polished and of flattened spatulate form with a ribbed terminal pierced for attachment. Cf. Elsdon, B., The Maori as He was: a Brief Account of Life as it was in Pre-European Days, Wellington, 1934, p.158, fig.59. 1.33 kg, 37 cm (14 1/2 in.). From the collection of Mr Carlos Bahamonde, Manchester, UK. Pounamu was highly prized by M?ori, and the mere pounamu, as the weapon of a chief or rangatira, was the most revered of all M?ori weapons. These mere were passed down through generations. The mere was a type of M?ori fighting mace also used as a symbol of authority. The mere is one of the three types of patu fighting mace. It is the simplest of the three. It is paddle-shaped and flat and wide at the striking end. It has three or four grooves in the handle, along with a hole through which a cord or strap passes to attach it to the wrist. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.