Native American Jewelry,Native American Carvings and Sculptures spiritsofthewestcoast | Orca with Raven Fin Yew Wood Pendant

This Orca with Raven Fin is hand-carved by the Haida Master Carver Ron Russ. The brooch has been carved from yew wood and has 7 abalone inlays in total. The pendant was carved in 2000 and as a result has developed a beautiful patina over time.

The following is a Haida legend of Raven-Fin and Noisy-Fin.

In the story, a talented carver and painter named Go'ttca who is left behind after a sea-lion hunting trip is able to carve two supernatural killer whales out of yew wood that come to life to help him when he throws them into the sea. The people of Go'ttca's village believed that he had perished but Go'ttca instructs Raven-Fin and Noisy-Fin to provide ten whales for Go'ttca's village during a time of hunger. Go'ttca then joined the Chief of the Undersea after instructing the people to take up residence in two chiefly houses, not just one. The story of Raven-Fin continues after his brother Noisy-Fin is killed by a monstrous Octopus or Devil-Fish that is killing many sea creatures and Haida people. Raven-Fin calls upon all the sharp-toothed creatures of the sea to destroy the Octopus that had killed his brother Noisy-Fin and brought havoc to the local people. -- Swanton, 1908, Jesup North Pacific Expedition

The pendant measures approximately 2 inches or 5 centimeters wide, 2 1/2 inches or 6 1/2 centimeters high, and 3/8 of an inch or 1 centimeter thick.