This fabulous Maori Shark Albatross Bone Pendant is carved by local artist, David Taylor.

David is of Taranaki Maori/ Scottish descent, and his designs are strongly influenced by his Maori background. 

The design is essentially a Maori Hei Matau ( fishhook pendant).  The spiritual meaning behind the hook design is one of strength and determination.  It is also a good luck charm, believed to confer safe travel over water.

But look closer, and you see that the pendant incorporates two creatures important to the Maori - the shark ( mango, mako, or ururoa), and the albatross (toroa).  The shark was considered to be a guardian spirit; it was also an important food source and its teeth and oil were used for jewellery, tools and cosmetics. 

The Albatross represented beauty and power, and the wearing of an albatross pendant is believed to confer those qualities on the wearer.  Because the feathers were so scarce, only chiefly tribal members could wear the beautiful, white albatross feathers in their hair.  The birds were caught out at sea., and every part of their body was used.

This Albatross Shark design has been part-dyed in green, enhancing the stylish carving.  The pendant rests on a matching handwoven cord with adjustable toggle closure.  The pendant measures approximately 3" (7.5cm) in length.