Moko Pounamu Whale Bone Patu - Karioitahi

A spectacular handcrafted Patu from Genuine Whale jaw Bone and enhanced. This exceptional Mere is displayed on a Rustic wood stand, creating an incredible show piece, and enhanced with a hand made Muka taura, exquisite in detail and a true taonga from a very talented artist. This carving is a very special taonga that will be passed through many generations and treasured by those who have the honour of being its caretaker.

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 Patu are made of wood, stone, or whale bone whereas Mere are made of Greenstone Pounamu.

Whale Bone has always been a special medium for Māori artists, Whales are considered a taonga species, and represent abundance, richness and were regarded as chiefly animals. Some tribes see whales as the descendants of Tangaroa, the god of the ocean and strandings are seen as gifts from Tangaroa and carving them is a way of honouring that gift. Whales possess a tapu (sacred) significance to Māori as both supernatural beings and as harbingers of personal change and spiritual growth.

Muka is the strong, white fibre extracted from the New Zealand flax plant (harakeke) by scraping and pounding the green flesh off the leaves. It is a fundamental material in traditional Māori weaving, used to create cloaks, nets, ropes, and other textiles, and is also processed into a handmade paper.

Traditionally carved from Genuine Whale bone - Ethically sourced from Banks Peninsular (Te Pataka o Rakaihautū)

Hand Carved by Mark Stewart

Size Mere - 408mm long x 133mm wide x 19mm thick

Base - 295mm long x 46mm wide x 98mm high

Overall height - 190mm high

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.