A Wonderful, & Most Rare New Zealand Maori Jade Large Hand Axe 13th-17th Century Pounamu Toki. An Honoured Gifted Koha

Some of the most fascinating objects in British museum collections come from many far flung places all over the world. They arrived in their collections due to the explorers and travellers gathering trinkets and objects of curios during the 19th century.
One such object is the Pounamu Toki or the Greenstone Axe from New Zealand. These axes were used as a tool for daily work as well as being employed in ceremonial form.

We have had several over the past 50 years but unfortunately, none of them have ever had their handles remaining.
They retain considerable meaning for the Maori, as Greenstone is known as the God Stone, and to the Europeans, Jade. They are imbibed with mysticism and sacred power to the Maori. Greenstone is a sacred material and most rare. It occurs naturally in the South island of New Zealand and is found in several areas and has been discovered in rivers as boulders or pebbles or washed up on the coast.

Maori myth and legend is attached to the greenstone and its origins. The Ngati Waewae tribe tells of a legend about a fearsome Taniwha (sea monster) and a beautiful princess kidnapped by the Taniwha. The princess eventually gets turned to greenstone on the riverbed. This myth tells how the greenstone was created.

Koha;

Why is it a tradition in New Zealand to gift pounamu?
Koha (gifts, offerings, and contributions) is an important part of tikanga Māori and involves the act of giving and reciprocity. In traditional Māori society, koha often took the form of food, although valuable items such as cloaks, ornaments, or weapons were sometimes offered. Pounamu weapons, tools, and adornments (such as the Hei Tiki) were considered especially valuable koha as the stone was treasured for its strength and the time-consuming process of crafting such items was well understood.

The gifting of pounamu spans far back in Māori history, and it has long been the belief that as heirlooms are gifted and passed down through generations, they increase in mana (prestige) and carry with them rich histories and stories. It is also thought that pounamu has spiritual value and takes on the mauri (life force or essence) of the person wearing or wielding the stone - and as it is passed down through generations, it continues to encapsulate the spirit, energy, and strength of previous wearers.

Prized for its physical and spiritual properties, it is no surprise that gifting pounamu is still a tradition today and that the stone is often used as a gift for significant milestones, as a symbol of respect, and to show someone your love and appreciation. To be gifted a piece of pounamu signifies much about the relationship between the giver and receiver.

6.25 inches long x 3.5 inches wide.

Code: 21861