The original pieces on which this set is based were carved by Haida artist Christian M. White. This handcast reproduction has been carefully crafted to capture the spirit and exquisite artistry of the original set. Our chess set makes a stunning display and is a great collectible: 35 X 35 cm. The argillite reproduction pieces are moulded from casts of original argillite Haida carvings from the Canadian Museum of Civilization's collection. Argillite is a soft slate found only on Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands); it was first quarried in the 1820's on Slatechuck Mountain.