A Papua New Guinea nephrite disc Melanesia with a central hole with tapering sides

A Papua New Guinea nephrite disc

Melanesia

with a central hole with tapering sides, with the remains of a paper label inscribed Brought by John...New Zealand. O..., 19th century,

10.2cm diameter.

Provenance

John Baird, Viscount Stonehaven, Keith Hall, Inverurie, Scotland.

Viscount Stonehaven was the Governor General of Australia from 1925 - 1931, and during his time in office, he made an official visit to New Zealand, from where he went by ship and seaplane to Papua New Guinea, New Britain and New Ireland in July and August 1929, where he met with 'groups of natives' and is possible that was when this disc was acquired.