Rare Pounamu Pekapeka Pendant with Manaia Heads

Pounamu pekapeka (nephrite pendant), finely carved from Kawakawa variety pounamu, with cut circular eyes and asymmetrical countersunk suspension hole, pekapeka are named after the small native New Zealand bat which they are said to resemble in appearance. The pekapeka form fuses together two opposing manaia (stylised beaked figures) heads into a single form. The form is rare relative to other pounamu pendants such as hei-tiki. This is a particularly fine example and probably dates to the early 19th or 18th century. Provenance: Private Collection America. Recently repatriated to New Zealand, 1.97 in. width