Historic Chiefs Mere Pounamu with Translucent Edge
A superb historically important chiefs mere pounamu (short bladed greenstone weapon), beautifully crafted from Kawakawa variety pounamu with large thin spatulate shaped blade with translucent edge. The blade tapers to the reduced grip section with…
Historically important chiefs mere pounamu
A superb historically important chiefs mere pounamu (short bladed greenstone weapon), beautifully crafted from Kawakawa variety pounamu. Conforming in form to the previous lot. With large thin spatulate shaped blade with translucent edge and grey…
Historic Chiefs Greenstone Weapon with Provenance
A superb historically important chiefs mere pounamu (short bladed greenstone weapon), beautifully crafted from Kawakawa variety pounamu. Conforming in form to the previous lot but of smaller size. With short thin spatulate shaped blade with translucent…
Greenstone America's Cup Replica - Te Ha O Aotearoa
A greenstone replica of the America's cup (Te Ha O Aotearoa) Te Ha o Aotearoa. Made from Kahurangi pounamu/nephrite. A 7/8th scale replica of the America's cup trophy. The original pounamu boulder was excavated from Big Bay, south Westland and blessed by…
![Mere pounamu, [18th century], an exceptional pre-European…](https://img.carters.com.au/640x640/1e5a7249f6026cf5a0ffde7d483f9c10.webp)
Mere pounamu, [18th century], an exceptional pre-European pounamu mere of a translucent medium green colour with waves of white feathering, large well worn stone drilled hourglass hole. Length 38 cm, known as the Kronfeld mere after the first Collectors…
A large 18th century mere pounamu, elegant finely carved spatulate shaped blade reducing to a tapering grip section. The butt carved with five concentric grooves and pierced with a classical stone drilled countersunk suspension hole. Carved in kawakawa…
19th Century Greenstone Hand Club
Large and impressive 19th century mere pounamu (greenstone hand club), beautifully crafted from kahurangi nephrite. The blade tapering to the grip section with a countersunk suspension hole terminating in five deeply cut graduating grooves. Provenance:…
Unknown Carver's Tekoteko with Patu/Mere, c.1880-1920
Carver unknown, tekoteko - standing figure holding patu or mere, carved wood, c.1880-1920, 77 x 18.5 x 10 cm
Maori Inunga Pounamu Hei Tiki Pendant
An uncommon pre-European Maori carved inunga pounamu hei tiki, good proportions and traditional form, chin to the left, hands to thighs, three tapered hourglass drilled and concealed suspension holes to the back top of head, one broken through, natural…
Hei Tiki Gift: A Royal Presentation from New Zealand
A Presentation Hei Tiki Gifted to King Edward VIII. The Hei tiki was presented to the then Prince of Wales during a visit to West Harbour, Dunedin, as part of his 1920 royal tour of New Zealand and the greater commonwealth. He received a grand welcome…
Inanga Pounamu Hei Tiki with Prestigious Color and Provenance
A good pre-European inanga pounamu hei tiki of elegant proportions and prestigious colour, chin to left shoulder, hands to thighs, hour-glass suspension hole to top, semi-concealed at the front, evidence of another hole beside. The reverse inscribed with…
Goldie's Hei-Tiki with Provenance from Ngaheke Perira Te Kahikura
An important 19th century pounamu hei-tiki from the collection of Charles Frederick Goldie, light green inanga type variety with tilted head and lightly delineated hands placed on the thighs. The circular eyes with applied red sealing wax. Pierced through…
Rare Gem-Quality Pounamu Breastplate with Fine Carvings
An extremely rare pounamu breastplate adornment. Found in a river inlet in Otago in the 1950s. This archaic breastplate was traditionally carved with countersunk suspension holes and lashing grooves, such a piece would have been worn only by a…
Impressive Maori Pounamu Hei Tiki with Provenance
A large and impressive pre-European Maori carved pounamu hei tiki, traditional mildly tapered form with chin to left shoulder, hands to thighs and single notch and tapered hourglass drilled and concealed suspension hole to top of head, good dark tone with…
Taranaki Chief's Kawakawa Pounamu Mere Weapon, 28cm
Early contact period mere pounamu (short bladed nephrite weapon), crafted from Kawakawa variety pounamu, with spatulate blade. The blade tapers to the reduced grip section with countersunk suspension hole terminating in three reducing grooves, Provenance:…
Whalebone Hand Club with Carved Patu and Wheku Head
A wahaika paraoa (whalebone hand club), with a figure with arched back holding a patu carved in relief to the curve of the blade. The handle with a square suspension hole terminating in a wheku head with protruding tongue. 30 cm length.
A superb large 18th century patu onewa, a rare and important Maori stone hand club carved in greywacke variety stone. Long fine spatulate shaped blade reducing to a tapered oval cross-section grip terminating in a five ridged butt with countersunk…
A large 19th century mere pounamu, large heavy spatulate shaped with smooth curved surface tapering to a sharp translucent edge. Five concentric grooves carved to the butt and pierced for suspension. The blade is sharp with minor fritting. Carved in…
19th Century Maori Pounamu Mere
A 19th century large and impressive Maori pounamu mere, the traditional spatulate blade with reduced grip and rounded butt, the semi-cylindrical suspension hole with tapered outer edges, the nephrite of good dark green tone with dark and pale inclusions.…
Traditional Pounamu with Whakapapa and Historical Significance
A mere pounamu, traditional spatulate shape with swollen butt knob pierced by a large diameter off-centre hourglass hole. With an associated framed 'whakapapa' listing 11 owners, from Muriwai to Aporotanga and Te Awanui. inscribed with subscript:…
Maori Pounamu Hei Tiki Pendant
A pre-European Maori carved pounamu hei tiki, with head turned to the right shoulder, hands clasped to thighs and with single tapered hourglass drilled suspension hole, the original being through the top of the head having broken through and then modified…
Paua-eyed Hei Tiki from Arthur Beau Palmer Collection
A good pounamu hei tiki, contact period with head tilted to right shoulder and with cut paua shell eyes and hourglass suspension hole, modelled with lightly delineated three fingered hands placed to thighs, 10 x 8 cm. Provenance; Arthur Beau Palmer…
Tapered Pounamu Pendant with Hour-Glass Suspension Hole
A good pre-contact/contact period mere pounamu, the tapered butt with four curved tapered grooves, hour-glass suspension hole, traditional spatulate blade, dark/mid-green tone, evidence of start of another suspension hole, length 35 cm. Provenance:…
18th Century Greenstone Mere with Provenance
A fine 18th century greenstone mere. Dark green with a little pale mottling and some black flecks. Classic form with five ridges on handle end above hole for thong attachment. Fine edged blade has some small chips. Kawakawa variety of nephrite. Lovely…
Antique Dark Greenstone Hei Tiki Pendant
Rare 19th century or earlier pounamu hei tiki dark greenstone pendant, hourglass suspension, bold features with protruding stomach, head tilted left with both arms resting on thighs, height 10.3 cm
Exceptional Museum-Quality Carved Pounamu Toki Poutangata by Gardiner
An exceptional museum-quality Lewis Gardiner carved pounamu toki poutangata, of large size, the oval section cylindrical handle with stylised bust carved end, the raised top with entwined pierced and carved stylised figures in a good dark green kahurangi…
Kawakawa Pounamu Dagger
19th century mere pounamu, Kawakawa variety stone with dark speckled inclusions, blade tapering to the grip section terminating in seven graduating cut grooves. Handle pierced in the traditional manner with a countersunk hole. Small amount of fritting to…
Maori Whalebone Club with Fine Ridges and Tapering Blade
A pre 19th century Maori patu paraoa (whalebone club). Six fine ridges to butt, hour glass form suspension hole. Fine tapering blade. Length 18.5 cm
19th Century Maori Patuki Hand Club with Carved Designs
A 19th century Patuki (hand club). The blade with triangular cross-section tapering to a smooth shouldered grip and carved butt. Carved in rauponga patterns with triple hae hae and pataki. Embellished with cut paua and pierced for suspension. Length 43 cm.
Early 19th Century Hei Tiki Pounamu Pendant
Rare early 19th century hei tiki pounamu greenstone pendant in human form (referred to as the 'Fire tiki'), three suspension holes to head (two worn through), head tilted to left, right arm to mouth, left arm to thigh, length 9 cm Provenance: Jacob…
Rare Bowenite Maori Hei Tiki Pendant
An uncommon 19th century Maori pounamu hei tiki, chin turned to the left, remnants of red sealing wax to eyes, right hand to abdomen, left hand to thigh. Height 9.5 cm. Note: in the uncommon Bowenite variety of pounamu, displaying high translucency and of…
18th Century Kahurangi Pounamu Hei Tiki
A superb 18th century hei tiki, type I form with both hands to thighs, carved in highly prized Kahurangi pounamu. Facial features finely carved but worn, inlaid paua eyes and red ceiling wax embellishment. Some natural scaring to the back of the head.…
Rare and Potent Mere Pounamu
Mere pounamu, a highly valued and potent cultural symbol of mana (authority and prestige) as well as an effective weapon during the pre-musket era. Mere of this form are rare and hard to come by. Hourglass pierced suspension hole. Three carved ridges to…
Deep Profile Maori Pounamu Hei Tiki
A good pre-European Maori carved pounamu hei tiki, of good deep profile, traditional slightly tapered form, dark green tone. Note: the depth and elegant soft carved features of this hei tiki make it an outstanding example. Length 10.8 cm, width 4.8 cm,…
50kg Polished Dark Green Pounamu Boulder with Inclusions
A impressive large dark green 50kg pounamu boulder, flat ovoid form with full polished top, pale flecked inclusions. 65 cm x 42 cm x 17 cm.
Early 19th Century Bone Club with Carved Head
A superb early 19th century bone club (kotiate). bi-lobed shape with carved head to handle, hourglass hole. Length 31 cm
Antique Pounamu Mere with Three Ridges
18th century or earlier pounamu mere three ridges to butt, hour glass form suspension hole. Blade of fine tapering form, length 31.5 cm
Rare Pounamu Pekapeka Pendant with Manaia Heads
Pounamu pekapeka (nephrite pendant), finely carved from Kawakawa variety pounamu, with cut circular eyes and asymmetrical countersunk suspension hole, pekapeka are named after the small native New Zealand bat which they are said to resemble in appearance.…
Rare Early Archaic Pounamu Adornment
A rare pounamu adornment, very early archaic flattened tear drop form with evidence of two pierced suspension holes and linear notching to edges. This adornment would have signalled the mana and high rank of its creator and the owner. Its fine elongated…
Pre-European Maori Pounamu Hei Tiki Pendant
A pre-European Maori pounamu hei tiki, traditional tapered form, head to left shoulder, hands to thighs, three early suspension holes all broken through, good mid-green tone. Length 7.7 cm, width 5.3 cm. Provenance: The Flower Family Collection.
19th Century Maori Whalebone Kotiate Hand Club
A quality 19th century Maori carved whalebone kotiate (hand club), elegant lobed blade, oval grip with carved weku head with remains of red sealing wax to the eyes, square notched hole, darkish tone to one side, good patina and original polish. Length 33…
Kawakawa Pounamu Hei Tiki with Inanga Inclusions
Pre-European pounamu hei tiki, Kawakawa variety stone with inanga inclusions, type II form with fine facial details showing some ware, three-fingered hands with thumbs to the chest and thigh. Suspension hole on outstanding lug. Female. Right thigh and…
18th Century Carved Pounamu Hook Matau
Hei matau, hook form, carved pounamu, 18th century 4 x 4.5 cm
A Maori pre-European pounamu hei tiki, type II, of female form, well carved with head turned to the left shoulder, displays small recessed ring eyes, chin and ear projections, the counter sunk suspension hole dominantly drilled from the reverse one hand…
Flecked Greenstone Pendant with Hour Glass Hole
Mere pounamu contact period, flecked greenstone with hour glass suspension hole and worn ridges to butt, length 35 cm. Provenance: John Griffin collection, purchased Dunbar Sloane 1958
Maori Pounamu Hei Tiki Pendant
A pre-European Maori carved pounamu hei tiki, of good proportions with traditional features of head turned to left shoulder and hands clasped to thighs, single tapered hourglass drilled suspension hole, medium to dark green tone with semi-translucent pale…
Fine Carved Pounamu Weapon
Mere pounamu, a well-proportioned and finely carved weapon with a good weight and elegant form, a quality piece of pounamu. The blade of deep-green nephrite leads to a butt end with eight carved grooves and a pierced hole. Length 33 cm
Unfinished Giant Pounamu Slab - Maori Craftsmanship
Heavily sawn giant pounamu slab, a superb example of the scale of labour undertaken by the early pre-European Maori master craftsmen. This example is uncompleted and represents phase three in the manufacture of a toki pou tangata. The top face is flat and…
Polished Pounamu Touchstone
A large river worn and polished pounamu boulder/touchstone, of semi-mountainous form, the dark green tone with pale inclusions, polished top. 52 x 44 x 280. Approx. 40kgs.
Whalebone Kotiate with Carved Wheku Head
A good whalebone kotiate (hand club), traditional lobed blade with the handle pierced for suspension terminating in a carved wheku head. Attached woven fiber, 33 cm length.
Antique Pounamu Hei Tiki Hourglass Pendant
19th century or earlier pounamu hei tiki hour glass form suspension hole, red sealing wax eyes. Face to right, hands to thighs. Mottled pounamu. Front of rounded form. Height 9.5 cm
Speckled Kawakawa Nephrite Pounamu Blade
Superb mere pounamu Prestigious example in orthodox form. Crafted from speckled kawakawa nephrite. The blade offers rich variated colouration, which gracefully reduces to grip section. Terminating into seven softly defined ridges, and traditional hole for…
Rare 17th/18th-Century Greenstone Hand Club
Early mere pounamu - greenstone hand club, a highly valued and important cultural symbol of mana (authority and prestige) as well as an effective weapon during the pre-musket era. Mere of this form are very rare and hard to come by. Stone-tooled with no…
18th Century Carved Stone Hand Club with Paua Inlays
A very rare late 18th century stone carved hand club (patuki), with triangular cross section. Highly carved all over in swirl pattern with eight paua shell inlays. Length 44 cm. Width 6.5 cm
Greenstone Mere with Inclusions and Carved Ridges
An excellent greenstone mere, with light inclusions and some black flecks throughout. Straight suspension hole and six carved ridges to butt. Provenance: Purchased in Kapiti in 1970 and previously from Taranaki
Contemporary Inanga Maori Mere by Lewis Gardiner
A contemporary Inanga pounamu Maori mere by Lewis Tamihana Gardiner, the elegant wide spatulate blade narrowing to a fine edge, the reduced tapered grip with single suspension hole, five concave encircling tapered ridges to the butt, plaited muka cord.…
Speckled Kawakawa Prestigious Mere Pounamu
Superb Mere Pounamu. Prestigious and large example in traditional form. Crafted from speckled kawakawa nephrite with the blade offering a beautiful translucent patina. The haft terminates with hand sawn ridges and soft worn hole. Fine balance and form.…
Charlie Wilson nephrite mere with carved wooden box
A Charlie Wilson nephrite mere of traditional form with large spatula formed blade waisted grip and triple ring groove to the butt, tapered suspension hole, length 39 cm, housed in a carved wooden box of lozenge form with relief decoration of Maori…
Kawakawa Pounamu Hei-Tiki: Finely Carved 20th Century Example
Pounamu hei-tiki, a finely carved 20th century example. Kawakawa variety pounamu with a titled head and pointed chin. The shoulders tilt diagonally with one broad strongly delineated three figured hand on the chest and a lightly delineated hand on the…
19th Century Maori Basalt Club with Suspension Hole
A 19th century Maori patu onewa, basalt club with a ridged grip and circular hole for suspension, repaired, 43 cm long
Polished 48kg Pounamu Boulder with Inclusions
Impressive large dark green 48kg pounamu boulder, river worn with full polished top, pale flecked inclusions. 58 x 30 x 20 cm.
Maori carved pounamu adze blade from Flower Collection
A large and impressive Maori contact period carved pounamu toki (adze blade), wide flat tapered form with mildly curved bevel, the narrow butt end with early pre-European type lapidary scarf and snap technique evident, the widest edge with two fine…
Kawakawa Pounamu Mere Weapon from 19th Century
19th century mere pounamu (short bladed nephrite weapon), crafted from Kawakawa variety pounamu, thin spatulate blade with translucent edge. The blade tapers to the reduced grip section with countersunk suspension hole terminating in three reducing…
A good whale bone kotiate (hand club), with traditional lobed blade and handle terminating in a carved wheku head with cut paua inlaid eyes. Pierced for suspension, height 32 cm,
Contemporary Kawakawa Mere by Thomas Ratima
A quality contemporary mere Kawakawa by Thomas Ratima, of good size with elegant spatulate blade tapering to a fine edge, single tapered drilled suspension hole, four concave incised ridges to the tapered butt, good dark green tone. Length 38.5 cm. Note:…
Maori Pounamu Hei Tiki Pendant
A pre-European Maori carved pounamu hei tiki, traditional form with head to left shoulder, hands to thighs, concealed notch and hourglass cut suspension hole broken through, pale to mid-green/grey tone with pale tan and dark included highlights. Length 9…
18th Century Hei Tiki Pounamu Greenstone Pendant
Superb 18th century hei tiki pounamu greenstone pendant in human form, pointed chin with hour glass suspension hole, head tilted to left, right arm to chest and left arm to thigh (legs missing), height 10 cm
300kg Pounamu Greenstone Boulder with Rich Veining
A massive pounamu greenstone boulder, of flattened approximately circular shape, the upper surfaces partially polished and displaying rich deep green colour with lighter veining. Approx. 300kgs. Approx. 70 x 80 x 30 cm
Wahaika Maori club, carved whalebone, 19th century, 37.5 cm high
Rare 19th Century Pounamu Kaka Paria Adornment
A 19th century pounamu kaka Paria, rare pounamu kaka paria (parrot leg ring). This fine example still has remnants of the red kaka wai pigments used to adorn the finest and most important Maori adornments. With countersunk suspension hole and fine…
Triangular Pounamu Mere with Five Ridges
19th century or earlier pounamu mere five ridges to butt of angular form, triangular form suspension hole, short grip and relatively wide blade, length 29 cm
Carved Marsden Flower Pounamu Lotus Bowl by Richard Anderson
A quality carved Marsden Flower pounamu lotus flower bowl by Richard Anderson, the undulating rim of elegant sinuous form, raised ribs radiate from the central stem base, the dark tone with pale and orange tinged highlights. Carved from a river cobble.…
18th Century Kawakawa Hei Tiki Pendant
Early 18th century pounamu hei tiki, a rare stone tooled hei tiki carved in the classic type I form made in Kawakawa variety stone. This hei tiki displays two countersunk suspension holes indicating its significant age. The head is oriented to the left…
Maori Tewhatewha Club, 19th Century
A Maori club (Tewhatewha), New Zealand, 19th century, carved wood, 175 cm long
Patuki - club, late 19th century club, carved from medium brown wood with light patina, sides taper to a single triangular point. Grooved knob at top of the handle with single suspension hole. Short plain shaft tapering to a four sided fully carved club.…
Dark Oval Pounamu Boulder: 100kg River Worn Beauty
A large pounamu boulder, of oval flat river worn form, dark tone. 64 cm x 24 cm x 24 cm. Approximately 100kgs.
Haehae Carved Maori Wahaika Club
Maori hand club wahaika, this hardwood club is finely incised over the entire blade with deep relief linear haehae carving. A finely carved ancestor figure on the side of the club with elliptical eyes, curved legs and hands held to the belly. The butt of…
Paua-eyed Whalebone Kotiate Hand Club
Whalebone kotiate hand club, liver shape on profile tiki handle finial with protruding tongue, paua shell set eyes, 27 cm length
Whalebone Hand Club with Notched Spatula Blade
A kotiate paraoa (whalebone hand club), the spatula blade with uncommon notch design to the sides, where each quadrant overlaps the opposing lobe with the pattern reversed on the opposite side, the handle with simple butt knob, pierced and with a two-ply…
Toki - adze, large mottled medium green pounamu toki, 19th century or earlier, of quadrangular tapering form with straight vertical sides, poll slightly reduced in thickness. Short steep bevel and sharp blade. Length 29 cm. Provenance: Estate of John…
Toki - adze, 19th century or earlier medium to pale green pounamu toki, straight blade with small chips along cutting edge, steep short bevel with rounded chin. Straight vertical sides to rounded poll, groups of small notches along both ventral edges.…
Early Mere Pounamu - Rare and Powerful Symbol
Early mere pounamu. A highly valued and potent cultural symbol of mana (authority and prestige) as well as an effective weapon during the pre-musket era. Mere of this early type are rarely seen. The well balanced blade tapers the a natural point with a…
Unusual Maori Pounamu Hei Tiki with Tikitiki Top Knot
19th century or earlier Maori pounamu hei tiki very unusual form with traditional top knot (Tikitiki) to head. Face to left, hands to thighs, height 8 cm
Whalebone Hand Club with Weku Head and Red Wax Remnants
A kotiate paraoa (whalebone hand club), with lobed blade divided into quadrants by sulci notches/perforations to either side, the grip terminating in a profile weku head, with remnants of red wax to the ring eyes, length 32.5 cm. Y registered. From the…
Maori Whalebone Hand Club with Mask Head Butt Knob
A 19th century Maori carved whalebone kotiate (hand club), the butt knob carved as a profile mask head with ring eyes, drilled suspension hole, smooth all over patina. The traditional kidney form carved blades with two 'eyelets'. Length 29 cm.
Maori Wahaika Club with Paua Shell Eyes
An early 18th century Maori wooden club (wahaika), of good quality and heavy weight. Figure on the side has paua shell eyes. Slight very old chip in the blade. Overall worn condition in keeping with its age. Length 36 cm
Pre-European Pounamu Hei Tiki from Dame Jenny Gibbs Collection
Pre-European pounamu hei tiki, type I form carved in Kawakawa variety stone with pale inclusions to the body. Countersunk suspension hole at the top of the head. Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection, 10 cm length.
Asymmetrical Hei Tiki Pounamu Pendant with Suspension Hole
Hei tiki pounamu contact period, asymmetrical form with right hand to chest and left hand to thigh, suspension hole flared on reverse, height 10 cm. Provenance: Neil Darroch collection, formerly purchased Dunbar Sloane 1988
Large Maori Carved Figure Post with Taiaha and Mere
An old large Maori carved figured post, the tall stylised figure with detailed moko, pronounced arched back with his right leg upon a further stylised head, he holds a taiaha to his right hand and a raised mere to his left, further stylised figures to the…
18th Century Inanga Mere Pounamu
A good 18th century mere pounamu, fired inanga variety stone. Classic tapering spatulate shape terminating in three concentric grooves at the butt. Pierced for suspension with a countersunk hole, 32 cm length.
19th Century Pounamu Hei Tiki with Paua Inset Eyes
19th century pounamu hei tiki hour glass suspension hole, carved paua inset eyes, head tilted left with both arms on thighs, length 9.8 cm. Provenance: Arthur Beau Palmer collection
Broken Maori Pounamu Hei Tiki with Concealed Suspension Hole
A pre-European Maori pounamu hei tiki, the left arm and leg broken and absent, chin to left shoulder, concealed suspension hole to back top of head. Good dark tone with pale flecked inclusions. Length 9.3 cm. Provenance: 'Ploughed up in the 1920s by…
Orthodox Hei Tiki Pounamu Pendant - Early Example
Early hei tiki pounamu stunning early example in orthodox stance, well defined facial features, ribs and limbs with head tilting to the right and two pierced well worn hourglass shaped suspension holes, height 7.5 cm
Whalebone Hand Club with Carved Figure and Wheku Grip
A 19th century kotiate paraoa (whalebone hand club ), with lobed blade and with a small carved figure to the base of the blade. The grip section terminating in a wheku figure carved in high relief. Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection, 35 cm length.
Maori Sperm Whale Bone War Club
Rare Maori short club, New Zealand sperm whale carved bone war club, (kotiate paraoa), known to be passed down in elite families as important ancestral heirlooms
Kawakawa Nephrite Pounamu: Polished Face, Marbled Flecks
Large floorstanding nephrite pounamu, Kawakawa variety with impressive polished face and marbled flecks, rear unpolished, cut to the base, height 54 cm, width 67 cm, depth 17 cm
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