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Worked inaka/īnanga pounamu, Nephrite

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Te Hikoi Museum

A worked piece of pale and mid green īnanga pounamu. It has streaked and feather fracture markings and a medium translucency. There are purplish brown chlorite inclusions as well as grey nickel sulphide inclusions. Stone tool specialist, the late Russell Beck identified the condition as natural with saw scarves on one side. It has been ground on both faces with the intention of making a toki. This pounamu was sourced from a site of great significance to Kai Tahu. Īnanga is a type of pounamu that is characterised by being a pearly pale green in colour. It was highly prized in Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island) and was favoured for making mere.

Ngā whakamārama -
Details

  • Title

    Worked inaka/īnanga pounamu, Nephrite

  • Maker

    Unknown Kaimahi pounamu (pounamu worker)

  • Date made

    1250-1900

  • Subject

    Māori, Taoka/Taonga

  • Additional information

    inorganic, stone, pounamu (greenstone), nephrite, īnanga, l 178 x w 77 x d 20 mm 430 g

  • Rights

    All rights reserved

  • View source record for this item

    https://ehive.com/collections/3278/objects/1466509

Kei hea tēnei taonga? -
Where is this item held?

Te Hikoi Museum

Whare taonga | Organisation

Te Hikoi Museum

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  • Text adapted with permission from Te Papa and Digital NZ

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