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 jade with pale flower jade highlights. Found in the Marsden area, the wide flat tapered blade of Australian black jade, woven muka binding with feather highlights. Raised on iron cradle stand, supported by a large nephrite part-river-worn boulder slab base. Length of handle 36.5 cm, blade length 23 cm. Note: Gardiner has only created five such toki poutangata in pounamu, this example was shown at the Suzhou Jade Show where it received a silver award, certificate included with this lot together with Ngai Tahu authentication I.D. The quality of this work initiated the artist to produce an addition less than ten in bronze of this work.