This is a circa 1981 original carved solid argillite necklace pendant of a Killer Whale / Orca by Haida artist, Chris Russ (Haida, b. 1956). Haida artist Chris Russ began carving in 1975 and is an accomplished argillite carver, but also carves in wood, silver, and gold. He was born August 9th, 1956 to Haida parents June and Reynold Russ, who is the Hereditary Chief of Old Masset. The Kincolith Nisga'a people adopted his grandmother. His clan crests are Wolf, Eagle, and Killer Whale. He is well known for his beautiful jewelry, argillite carvings, and more. Chris has sold his work all around the world to private collectors and has had his work featured in exhibitions. In May 2005, he had one of his argillite sculptures in a show at Masters Gallery in Calgary Alberta. This example shows a traditional Haida Orca or Killer Whale design with a small brass loop atop the whales dorsal fin. The piece shows fine intracte detail. The back is signed "KILLER WHALE BY CHRIS RUSS NOV. / 81." The piece is well kept in good condition with no apparent breaks. Measures 2" by 1.5". The totem is carved from argillite, a dark, slate-like stone that is found only on the islands of Haida Gwaii, off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. Argillite has been used by Haida artists for centuries, and is prized for its rich color and fine grain, which allows for intricate carving. The use of argillite in totem carvings is a hallmark of Haida art, and is one of the reasons why Haida carvings are so highly valued by collectors and art enthusiasts. The history of argillite totem carvings dates back centuries, to a time when the Haida people used the stone to carve everyday objects such as bowls, boxes, and pipes. Over time, Haida carvers began to use argillite to create more elaborate and intricate works of art, including totem poles and figurines. In the 19th century, as Europeans began to arrive in Haida Gwaii, the demand for Haida carvings grew. Argillite totem carvings became especially popular among collectors, and Haida artists began to produce more and more intricate and elaborate works to meet this demand. Today, argillite totem carvings are highly prized by collectors and art enthusiasts around the world. They are a testament to the skill and artistry of the Haida people, and a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest Coast.