Large 27cm Ngai Tahu Greenstone Mere
This 27cm Maori Greenstone Mere club is carved from genuine Ngai Tahu Pounamu, and comes with a certificate of authenticity. The certificate details the piece of raw stone your carving came from, information on the carvers, what type of greenstone it is made from, and where the greenstone came from.
The South Island of New Zealand (Maori name Te Waipounamu - the Greenstone Isle), is the only place where greenstone (pounamu) is found. The stone is a taonga (treasure) to Ngai Tahu, and in particular the people of Te Tai o Poutini, the West Coast of the South Island, where most greenstone is found and carved.
The stone began its journey millions of years ago, as the mountains of Te Waipounamu formed over time, pushing narrow bands of pounamu filled earth to the surface. From here, the movement of rivers and glaciers broke pieces of pounamu away from its host rock.
The stone used for this mere is called Hapopo. Its colour ranges from medium green to a dark forest green, and it has a characteristic mottled appearance. The name originates from Ka Umu o Hapopo (Big Bay), located in South Westland. The last photo gives you an idea of the variation possible in the stone.
The mere has a matt finish, so you can experience the stone as naturally as possible. It is approximately 27cm (10 1/2") long and hangs from a plaited cord. It comes with a certificate of authenticity that has a unique code. When you receive your mere you will be able to enter that unique code at a website, where you will see a photo of the stone it came from and will be able to read about the stone's origins and carvers.
Mere were used as a thrusting club, particularly to attack the victim's temple or under his ribs. The pounamu ( greenstone) mere has always been highly prized, because of its scarcity and the amount of work required to make it. It was usually only carried by chiefs, and was a highly prized ceremonial piece.
Now you get to own one. Treasure it, and hand it down through the generations.
Purchase the mere on its own, or on a stand, or on an engraved stand. If you want an engraved plaque, choose up to 5 words, choose the engraved option, then enter the words in the box provided. Please note that engraved options cannot be returned, except in the unlikely event that we get the engraving wording wrong.
Shipped worldwide. Please note that we will not ship this taonga by Airmail or Tracked Airmail overseas, as those options are not insured. Please choose either Economy Courier or Express Courier.