Livia's stunt sword

 A recent a addition to my collection is this stunt sword used by Livia’s and Varia’s characters during season 5 & 6 episodes: “Livia”, “Eve” and “Path of Vegeance”. The foam swords were very popular in the production of the series because there were the best option for action and stunt fights scenes. 

The sword is lightweight piece so it is easy to hold for actresses. The handle is made of solid resin, there is a missing side part in the cross guard that I decided to fix properly with a replacement to give it a second chance, however it is still in good condition. The blade is made of foam with a metal rod inside to prevent it from bending. The sword has a very detailed painting over the cross guard and handle and the blade is mint condition.

I was able to screen match my Livia’s stunt sword because of the stains in the blade, you can see the sword has exactly the same “blood” marks than the screencapture. When I saw those stains in the blade I firstly thought was a kind of discoloration due of the passing of the years or due to an inefficient storage.

The sword was used by Livia’s actress, Adrienne Wilkinson and stunt double in the episode “Livia” from season 5 during the first sequence of the episode when Livia’s kills some villagers, Eli’s followers, in the name of the god, Ares.

Screen captures:

Xena's costume photoshoot

I recently bought a new mannequin for my Xena's costume. In this case, I prefered a mannequin with head to display it with a dark brown wig just like Lucy's hair during the series.

The costume includes several screen used pieces: Xena's stunt armour, boots and kneeguards. The copper gauntlets and armbands are Creation Entertainment replicas. 

 

The leathers are screen-accurate replica inspired in the season 4 leather costume. The copper medallion was forged by the same blacksmiths from the series.

 

The weapons are set-used props: Xena's hero resin sword used in season 2&3, Xena's hero leather scabbard, classic hero chakram seen in season 1-4.

No weapons photoshoot.

 

Xena's screen used boots and kneeguards.

Xena's back.

Gabrielle's season 6 costume

Finally I got the chance to take some new photos on my Gabrielle’s season 6 hero costume worn by Renée O’Connor in season 6. 

The costume includes mostly set used pieces: red velvet top, red velvet skirt, orange undershorts, boots, sai straps and necklace. The silver cuffs were purchased from the same company that provided the ones seen in the series. The belt is made of dark brown leather and silver screen matched buckles.

The sai in the mannequin hand is a electroplated prop version and the ones in the boots are foam stunt sais.

 The first appearance of this wardrobe was in “Heart of darkness” and the last one was in “A friend in need part I”

Gabrielle's costume & sai hero prop.

 

 Gabrielle's sai close-up.

Other close-ups.

Gabrielle's silver metal cuffs.

  

Back & boots with sai straps and foam sais.

Pao Ssu costume

Another addition to my collection is this beautiful costume worn by Pao Ssu played by Marie Matiko in “Purity” from season 5.

 

Pao Ssu character was Lao Ma’s evil daughter and sister of Ming T'ien and twin sister of Kao H'sin. She tried to utilize her mother's powers to take control of Chin.

 

Pao Ssu costume is almost a complete wardrobe, only missing her shoes, includes: red fabric corset, pants, intertwined leather strips shorts, gauntlets and leg pads. It comes with It’s a Wrap! COA. Particulary this costume has written inside the corset the name of the actress, probably the stunt double costume was cut off to make the Rittenhouse costume cards.

The fabric corset is my favorite piece. The fabric is a red floral silk with oriental details in it, the corset boning helps to helps maintain its rigidity and look streamlined. It is interesting that the corset has attached interlaced leather armbands with a metal armband at the end.

 

The corset lacing was a funny nightmare, the costume is really small, definitely Marie Matiko is a tiny girl.

The gauntlets, knee guards and underpants are made of interlaced golden leather and rivets. Pants are made embroidered mesh black fabric.

It's a Wrap! Certificate of Authenticity.

Photos for reference: