TE PUMAU

TE PUMAU - Stability

A wonderful Mere pendant, designed and carved by Kerry Thompson.

TE PUMAU is carved from stunning New Zealand Pounamu. This is a dark piece of stone - with hints of cloudy paler inclusions that give the pendant depth and substance. It is a beautifully semi-translucent jade that bursts with character when the light hits it. We have backlit the pendant in one of the photos to show the life in the stone.

Kerry has given it what we call a 'soft polish' which leaves the finish a satin matte - lovely to wear and hold.

The brief video we have made of the mere slowly revolving shows the design of this piece. Kerry has etched six koru into the front face, three each on either side, giving the piece its own special character. The back face is left plain and is equally beautiful.

The Mere is a type of short, broad-bladed weapon in the shape of an enlarged tear drop. These were traditional weapons used for hand to hand fighting - usually made from Whalebone and wood - the jade mere were often carried by Māori Chiefs as a symbol of their position. Today you will often see mere carried by leaders in formal ceremonial occasions.

The Mere design as described by the Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa: https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/topic/1994

Mere pounamu (nephrite weapons) were originally used in hand-to-hand combat. They were also symbols of mana (authority), status, cultural identity, and important relationships.

Mere pounamu are no longer used for fighting, but their symbolic role continues. As in the past, they are used at cultural performances, and at funerals to honour the deceased. Orators gesture with mere pounamu to emphasise important points. As gifts, these taonga (treasures) can define or change relationships.

TE PUMAU is lovingly packaged in a woven kete pouch and provided with a fixed length cord. If you would like an adjustable cord, please let us know in the comments section at checkout.

Artist: Kerry Thompson

Material: New Zealand Jade, Pounamu

Cord Colour: Black

Cord Fixed Length: 66cm circumference - we can change this to an adjustable cord for you, please let us know in comments section at checkout.

Size: 119mm (4.7") long, 33mm (1.3") wide