Happy Solstice!

G:  “After all, it is Solstice.”

X:  “Oh, that’s right.  Happy Solstice.”

G:  “Well-- what?  Oh.  I don’t have a gift for you.”

X:  “Gabrielle, you are a gift to me.”

 

Xena's Creation battle sword prop replica

Xena’s battle sword forged by the blacksmiths at Pacific Renaissance Pictures LTD in New Zealand.

This sword is a limited edition number 16 of 500 units and came with a certificate of authenticity signed by the CEOs of Creation Entertainment. 

  

The blade features a stamp that is written “New Zealand Made”. The paua shell inlayed in the sword are in mint condition and have a beautiful green and blue tone.

Cross-guard close-ups.

 

 

Handle photos.

Athena's sword

My recent acquisition is Athena’s stunt sword prop, used by Athena played by Paris Jefferson and her stunt doubles. Mostly all the swords seen on the series were made of hard resin or foam, only a few exceptions were metal for close-ups. 

 

The foam blades were the safest options in physical contact scenes for the actors and stunts. Athena’s character appeared during three episodes on season 5: “Amphipolis under siege”, “Looking death in the eye” and “Motherhood”. However, the character was very loved by fans but sadly she never appeared again on the series.

The handle is made of hard resin and the blade is soft foam, all cast over a metal rod armature for support and prevent bending. Athena’s sword has 7 blue acrylic gems inlayed, still in mint condition. 

I believe that the prop department had choosen different gem colours for each different god: Ares had in his wardrobe and sword red jewels and Athena blue ones in her sword and costume. The sword is in good condition, although in some parts has chipped paint and sings of being used in fight scenes.

Photos for reference:

 

Gabrielle's staff fabric

“Uh. How much for this piece of scrap?”. 

“That finely-woven Egyptian prayer scarf is five dinars…”. - Gabrielle (Blind Faith, season 2).

Today’s arrival is this woven fabric used for Gabrielle’s staff middle section intertwined with rope. Gabrielle’s first weapon was a battle staff after meeting the amazons that she carried during the Xena’s golden years, circa seasons 2-4.

This piece of fabric is very recognizable, it appeared on the episode “Blind Faith” from season 2 at the beginning on the market sequence and it was also seen on Gabrielle’s battle staff. It is woven, not like the Creation Entertainment staff replica that have a crude printed paper replica glued on. 

I decided to replace the printed fabric piece of my Creation staff for a piece of the woven fabric I adquired recently. I didn't want to alter the staff but obviously that fabric must be there.

Gabrielle´s staff replica distributed by Creation Entertainment with the woven fabric.

Xena's sword

Probably the most recognizable sword of the Xena series. Xena's hero metal sword prop used by Lucy Lawless during the earlier seasons. Before, the prop department started using aluminum in season 4, the first Xena's hero swords were electroplated for light-weight scenes. Those swords have a real metal looking, cause they have a metal coating, but they were not heavy. The best choice for shooting so far.

This sword was acquired directly from a New Zealand crew member that contacted me directly and offered to me. This sword is in mint condition after more than 25 years stored. The sword has an aged patina that reminds me of the first episodes of the series. The paua shells are intact in their place.

Callisto´s sword

Callisto's sword is probably the rarest prop or replica of the whole Xenaverse. The character of Callisto, Xena's nemesis played by Hudson Leick, became very popular during the Xena golden years and her weapon became a iconic one easily to identify.

In my years of collecting I have just seen about 2/3 Callisto's swords on sale and a few of them in private collections. 

 I have found this awesome sword last year in the Premiere Props auction, I was very lucky to win it. On side of the sword came full of signatures of mostly all the cast of the series. However, I am not fan of the signed prop and replicas, some of them were being erased, so I decided to kept Lucy's signature in the cross-guard and remove the blade other ones.

Here is my Callisto's metal sword prop replica forgeg by the same blacksmith from the series from the same mold that the ones used on screen. This sword was distributed by Creation Entertainment in a limited run of less than 250 units wordwide.

Xena's Roman lady costume

“For once, Xena, I’d like to be the Roman noble and you the slave” Gabrielle. “Legacy” season 6.

Xena’s hero Roman lady costume worn by Lucy Lawless herself in the episode “Legacy” from season 6. Xena appeared with this roman “high class” wardrobe and Gabrielle as her slave to visit a roman governor with the purpose of getting information for the nomads.

 

  

“I am Fasmia— wife of Cypio Africanus the fifth.  I assume you’ve heard of my family.” said Xena.

The costume includes a silk fabric top with a belt attached on the front, silk fabric skirt, a pair of leather sandals, three necklaces and four rings. I love the silk fabric with oriental reminiscents, the golden belt and all these jewelry used in this wardrobe.

The costume includes the It’s A Wrap! COA. The seller told me the costume is in the same condition that was bought 20 years ago in the official “It’s a Wrap!” auction.

The costume didn’t include the golden bracelets, these are a pair of Gabby’s from her India outfit.

Screen captures: