Pounamu Raukaraka Mere Sculpture 25cm

Carved from raukaraka pounamu, this mere shows the stone's marbled greens, moving from pale olive at the blade to deep forest at the grip. The butt is finished with carved ridges, and a plaited cord passes through the drilled handle. It stands on a mount of native timber.

Carved by Aaron Marshall (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato), with handle detail by Yuki Tanaka.

The mere is the short-bladed weapon of the rangatira, carried in ceremony and combat and passed down as a mark of mana and leadership. A mere in pounamu was among the most valued taonga a chief could hold. This piece follows that traditional form as a display work.