A rare pendant made from whale bone has sold at auction for more than three times the guide price.

The small Hei-Tiki pendant, which dates back to the 19th century, has sold for a whopping £4,500.

The trinket, which originates from New Zealand, seldom appears in whale bone which makes the item unusual, according to Grand Auctions, based in Folkestone.

The auction took place last Monday (February 18) as part of the fine arts sale at The Glenmore Centre on Pent Road in Shearway Business Park.

The symbol relates to Polynesian culture and was made by Maori people. They would often be carved from jade and worn around the neck.

According to legend, it represents the first man created - Tiki - who was the equivalent of Adam in the Christian faith.

The story goes that Tiki found the first woman by covering a pool with earth and it gave birth to a woman, named Marikoriko.

Jonathan Riley from Grand Auctions said: “Tiki lived with her peacefully and happily, until one day the woman was excited by an eel, her excitement passed to Tiki and the first reproductive act resulted, the rest is history.

“It is extraordinary how the variants of the Adam and Eve stories are found all over the world."

The pendant was been estimated to fetch between £800 to £1,200 under the hammer.

The symbols either represent memorials to ancestors, or were often given to a woman by her husband’s family if she was having trouble conceiving.

The pendants are usually made up of three key features. The eyes are often made up of other materials like paua or mother of pearl, while the tongue is often seen coming out of the Tiki’s mouth as it is associated with protection.

The hands are carved and placed near the loins as a sign of fertility.