Translucent Green Pounamu Mere with White Feathering and Drilled Hole

Mere pounamu, [18th century], an exceptional pre-European pounamu mere of a translucent medium green colour with waves of white feathering, large well worn stone drilled hourglass hole. Length 14.96 in., known as the Kronfeld mere after the first Collectors Dr. & Mrs. M. Kronfeld who presented it to the New Zealand Shipping Company Ltd in Wellington where Dr. Kronfeld was the port Health Officer. The mere was displayed on the R.M.S. Ruahine which went on the London passenger service, it was returned to New Zealand on her withdrawal from the passenger service. Provenance: Kronfeld, Dunbar Sloane, Estate of John Lawford.