This generous hand-shaped deep bowl is perfect for leafy salads on the summer buffet table, and makes a beautiful and meaningful gift, since the Sacred Kingfisher or kōtare is symbolic of protection, strength and power over the seas. The Māori admired kōtare for being like a watchful sentry, since bird perches motionless before diving for prey, and the word itself sometimes referred to the elevated platform in a pā used to watch for enemies.