An historically important 18th century mere pounamau, The large well-balanced kawakawa mere pounamu with finely defined striking edge. The blade gracefully reducing to the grip section with pierced hourglass suspension hole. The handle terminating in three soft well defined ridges. Small frits evident to the leading strike edge. L. 42 cm W.11 cm Provenance: formerly in the ownership of the Ngapuhi chief Te Moreanga ( b. circa 1760 - d.1834) The mere accompanied by a letter of provenance dating the gift of the mere to Te Moreanga in 1821 in Thames as part of a peace settlement between the Ngapuhi and the Ngati Maru in the Thames region.