A superb ancient patu pounamou club, carved from a stone of great beauty, the polish of which highlights the marbled nuances. Short nephrite clubs, known as pounamou ("green treasure"), were both weapons and insignia of prestige, reserved for the exclusive use of chiefs. See : Art and Artefacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas: the James Hooper Collection, Phelps, 1976, pp.54 and 414, pl.22 Maori, New Zealand, Polynesia Nephrite, slight erosion, very fine old patina. H. 34.5 cm Provenance : Galerie Germaine de Brabant, Brussels Monsieur V. Collection, Brussels