Moko Pounamu Mere NZ Genuine Inanga Totoweka Greenstone -Taitomo

An exquisite Mere with a Wheku (carved face) beautifully handcrafted from an amazing and rare piece of Inanga Greenstone. This stone features a stunning gradient of Totoweka pounamu at the tip and is displayed on a gorgeous custom recycled Rimu base. This is an incredibly special carving and will make a wonderful Taonga 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 – This 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 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.

Rimu is a dense native timber of NZ. It is deep reddish brown in colour and is strong and durable. A stunning timber - one of the most beautiful in the world with a fine textured grain.

Hand crafted by Des Hetherington

Pounamu Size – 427mm long x 99mm wide x 21mm thick Approx

Rimu Base 440mm long x 118mm wide x 65mm high

Sculpture Total height 99mm Approx

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.