A large hand-crafted pekapeka with double manaia design bone carving necklace. Featuring detailed engravings and Paua shell inlays. Complete with an adjustable waxed braid cord, a traditional style woven presentation case and a description of the meaning of the carving. Size:65mm Wide (2.56 Inches)Includes free international post shipping worldwide. The pekapeka form is an ancient Maori design. It is a double headed form and represents the native bat. The pekapeka design is believed to symbolise spiritual protection and guardianship with the two outward-facing heads connected through one body.It was traditionally worn as a symbol of status and cultural identity.It is also often worn as a symbol of strength, courage, and determinationThis piece while taking the form of a pekapeka takes design inspiration from the manaia, with the bird's head and 3 finger hands. The Manaia is also an ancient mythical being with a bird's head and a human form. It is said to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits. The Manaia is regarded as a kind deity protecting the people and helping them communicate with ancestors on the other side. It is also a holder of great spiritual energy and is a guardian against evil.Carved from treated and polished domestic cow bone.Species = Bovine