For your consideration is a Limited Edition Original Bronze Casting of Charles Russell's 1909 Soapstone carving, "Indian Head with Roach", #8 of 500. The original carving from Soapstone (Cowboy Jade), Whittled Twig (Stem), and Antler base, is the only known example of stone carving that Russell ever did, his signature and date are visible on the lower edge of the shield. Charles M. Russell, also known as C. M. Russell, Charlie Russell, and "Kid" Russell, was an American artist of the American Old West. He created more than 2,000 paintings of cowboys, Native Americans, and landscapes set in the western United States and in Alberta, Canada in addition to bronze sculptures, and was known as the "cowboy artist". Highly prized, his paintings have sold at auction in excess of $5.5 million and a bronze sold at auction for over $4 million. The lost wax-vacuum casting process utilized by Geffre's Foundry of Quincy, Washington - their stamp is noted on the opposite side of the Indian from Russell's signature along with the #8/500 for this limited edition - was used to pick up all the detail from the original carving and preserve it in bronze. At the time of the casting (1990), the original carving had been on display at the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. This bronze depicts an Indian Head with a roach - a type of Mohawk hairstyle worn by some warriors of southern plains tribes such as the Pawnee. This is where their hair is shorn like a horse’s mane which was considered stylish in the 19th century. All their hair would be cut, save a strip down the middle of their head. In this bronze along with a roach, the warrior's hair is in braids with a feather in his hair and is carrying a shield with his hand in front. Certificate of authenticity included from Square Butte Gallery of Sun River, Montana. Owner of gallery was Brad Hamlett, currently of the Wrangler Gallery in Great Falls Montana, current home of the C. M. Russell museum and Studio. This bronze is in exceptional condition, is seated on a finished hardwood base, a metal name plate is affixed along the bottom edge of the base. No marring is noted to the bronze nor to the base. Approximate overall measurement is 4.75"H x 3.25" diameter