A stunning Mere with a Wheku (carved face) handcrafted from an amazing piece of Inanga/Totoweka Pounamu. Sourced from Big Bay South Westland this unique Pounamu is Inanga and has incredible Totoweka streaks, beautifully displayed set in a Rimu wood fist gripping the Mere, this is a wonderful taonga to pass on for generations to come.
Mere
or Patu is a type of short, broad-bladed weapon in the shape of an enlarged tear drop. It was used to strike/jab an opponent in the body or the head. The Mere signifies high status and gives the owner courage and strength. It is the same design as a Patu, but the difference is a Patu is made of wood, stone, or whale bone whereas Meres are made of Greenstone Pounamu.
Wheku -
meaning 'carved face', depicts the face of an ancestor, with slanting eyes and commonly seen as a koruru, the head of an ancestor, depicted at the gable of a wharenui.
Inanga- Pounamu takes its name from a freshwater fish native to New Zealand. It is pale and often transparent, like the young of the Inanga fish. It is pearly white to grey green in colour, and ranges from translucent to quite opaque. It can change colour over time, developing a light olive tint as it ages and oxidises - Highly prized by the Māori and the desired material for making Mere and Patu.
Totoweka- This stone is usually like the mid green Kawakawa variety but differs in that the spotting or streaks are red like blood. It is rare to find Totoweka in the Westland jade fields, but when a piece is discovered, it is highly cherished and sometimes becomes the show piece of the fossicker’s collection. Large deposits of Totoweka occur in the South Westland area. The name comes from toto (blood), weka (Native bush hen) or weka blood. The red iron oxide inclusions were likened to the colour of blood of the Weka.
Authentically sourced from Hokiauau/Big Bay South Westland
A quality piece to be treasured and preserved for your children and children's children.
You will receive this exact Mere and stand as well as a wooden box for storage and shipping.
Hand Carved by Dean Hetherington
Mere Size 423mm long x 99mm wide x 27mm thick
Base –219mm long x 69mm wide x 133mm High
Total height 177mm
This will be the exact piece you will receive in the photos, there may be a slight degree of colour variation based on different computer or device screen resolutions that you are viewing from.
