Measures aprrox 1" in Height. 

Steller's Sea Cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) is an extinct, large sirenian mammal formerly found near the Asiatic coast of the Bering Sea. It was discovered in the Commander Islands in 1741 by the German naturalist Georg Steller, who was traveling with the explorer Vitus Bering. A small population lived in the arctic waters around Bering Island and nearby Copper Island. However, prior to the arrival of humans they lived all along the North Pacific coast. The Species became extinct in 1768. Petrified bones from this animal are drudged up from the ocean floor and are used for carvings and handicrafts. 

Magical protection charm The skull has been given strong religious connotations in several cultures. among the people of India and neighboring regions, the skull necklace is an iconographic 'memento mori' (meaning 'remember that you must die') worn by certain gods and goddesses, most notably Shiva in his ascetic form and Kali in her wrathful form. 

Skull necklaces are also worn by the wrathful aspects of allied Tibetan and Nepalese deities such as Kurukulla - and necklaces and prayer beads carved from animal or human bones in the form of skulls are popular with their devotees. 

The death-resurrection cycle The skull and crossed bone symbol is also used in initiation rituals as a symbol of rebirth. it may also symbolize the 'Sephirah Daath' on the Kabbalistic tree of life, the gateway to the higher realms of understanding only achievable through spiritual death and rebirth. a skull did not inspire horror, on the contrary, it symbolised the promise of a new life. 

Good luck The age-old links between religion, protection, and luck. 

In Pre-Columbian America, the skull was given an honoured place in the religious iconography of the Aztecs and related tribes of Mexico. their descendants, both Indians and people of mixed European and Native American heritage, continue to venerate the skull and the skeleton during the national 'day of the dead' ceremonies, when skulls made of sugar are eaten and offerings are placed on the graves of deceased relatives and friends. 

Mexicans looked upon death as one more misfortune to contend with, but they also regarded it as the ultimate liberation. it was one of the most popular forms of ancient Mexican ornament and in modern Mexico the skull is still used in humorous drawing, in toys and candy. 

Christianity The skull as an emblem occurs frequently in Christianity, inspired by Golgotha, the place of the skull, where Christ was crucified. 

It was the burial place where Adam's skull lay directly under the cross so the blood of Jesus could drip on it, thus washing away the original sin (there was no mention of eve - official theology was always vague about whether Jesus' death had really washed away original sin or not). 

Skulls are associated with such penitent saints as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Jerome and st Mary Magdalene. when included in depictions of them the skull may have a cross placed nearby. 

Reverse bad luck Hard-core gamblers have also adopted the 'reverse bad luck' of the skull for iconograhic purposes. In this context the skull, along with dice rolling sevens and black cats, symbolizes luck in adversity. 

Danger signal The recognised symbol for danger is the skull and crossed bones or for poisonous substances, especially visible on containers of cleaning solutions. 

Displayed on a black cloth back ground make up the pirate's flag commonly known as the Jolly Roger. It was certainly a most intimidating symbol for the caribbean pirate who attacked and looted ships. (the pirate flag were to symbolise that death awaited those whom the pirates encountered). 

Masonry The skull and crossed bones or a crossed hoe and sceptre (symbols of sovereignty) and a skull above them, are important emblems in masonry, where it symbolizes the hierarchic structure and the transience of the material world.