Gabrielle's hero sai

A recent addition to my collection: Gabrielle’s screen-used sai used by Gabrielle played by Renée O’Connor during season 5 & 6. Probably one of the rarest props I have ever seen.

Front and back

This sai is an electroplated hero version made of hard resin with a metal rod inside as an armature reinforcement. 

The shinny surface is electroplated, a chemical process of plating is used for many years to deposit a metallic coating to a surface to have a light-weight weapon with a metallic shine for close-ups scenes. Just the hero version of the sai can be seen the distressed marks on the blade clearly.

It is pretty interesting to compare the differences bewteen my Gabrielle's stunt sais made of soft foam for fighting scenes to prevent foand the detailed prop. The sai comes with COA from It’s A Wrap! auction in 2001.

Photos for reference:

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.

Xena & Gabrielle display

Last weekend I took a few photos of my favorite costumes of my collection. 

In the right side is Xena's costume: the armour is set used stunt double piece, made of moduled fiber glass and leather, except of the copper shoulderguards pieces replicas that are screen accurate and were forged by @xenawarriorreplicas. Xena's leathers are a screen accurate replica with a copper medallion forged by the New Zealand blacksmiths from the series and a set used chakram hook. The gauntlets and armbands are made of copper and are Creation Entertainment replicas. Kneeguards are set used and the pair of boots are my lastest acquisition used in the series too.

In the middle, Gabrielle's  Amazon Queen costume worn by Renée O'Connor in season 5 and 6. The costume includes an Amazon Queen necklace too, iconic! It includes the leather bra, skirt, undershorts, belt, necklace, a pair of leather gauntlets, a pair of armbands and the shoulder piece.

In the left side, Gabrielle's hero signature costume from season 6 worn by Renée O'Connor. The costume includes the velvet bra, skirt, undershorts, boots, sai straps and the leaf pedant necklace. The silver cuffs were bought from the same company that provided them to the series.

Behind the costumes are three shadow boxes with: Xena's original chakram, yin yang chakram and a Gabrielle's sais from Creation Entertainment.

Xena's hero sword

Definitely here is a unique piece of television history from the Xena: Warrior Princess series. Xena’s hero metal screen used sword, used by Lucy Lawless circa end of season 1 and 2. The prop masters decided that after the first appearances of Xena with her old sword during the first episodes, the evolution of the character needs to be reflected in a changeover to the new sword.

The first Xena’s hero swords were electroplated for lightweight close-up shots before the prop masters of the series started making the aluminum ones during season 3. The sword is quite heavy too. Before I knew how is the electroplated process, I thought it was a kind of painting technique, but my surprise was when I had it on my hands, I realize that there is a metal layer all around the sword that gives a real metallic shine, just because it is metal indeed.

The aged green rust patina over the cross-guard and pommel reveals that it is an early production sword as we have seen in season 1 and 2, they used the golden orange painting later on. 

 

Also, the blade doesn’t look quite battle worn as the last seasons sword design, that makes this sword quite rare and unique. It has slight damage to the electroplated blade on its edge from fighting contact. However, after almost 30 years, the sword is still in great condition.

All paua shells are intact and in the right place. I always loved the paua shells colors, in this case all are mostly green and blue. Maybe the blue ones in the cross guard were chosen specifically to match with Lucy’s eyes. 

 

The leather strip around the handle is still in mint condition. The pommel has the round concho on with the paua intact, the detail of that piece is usually blurred in the resin casts but, this is not the case. 

 

A formidable sword in every single detail. I still can’t believe this happened…

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Xena's hero scabbard

Probably one of the rarest props I have seen in the last 15 years of collecting... I was desperate searching for a Xena’s Creation scabbard during years, I had bought one and never arrived, I was devastated. But, I just needed patience.

Here is a Xena’s set used scabbard worn by Lucy Lawless circa season 2 and 3. I think is impossible to screen match with a specific episode or scene.

The main material is a dark brown leather with some aged and oiled parts and the structure of the scabbard is made of soft but firm foam. The scabbard has two leather braids on top and in the middle. 

The golden medallions are awesome, they are made of resin with golden paint and each one has a paua shell inlay. The back part has one carabiner hidden bewteen pieces of leather on top and where it should be another smaller carabiner was replaced by a leather strip to tie to Lucy’s back corset.

 

Front close-ups.

 

This is, for sure, one of my “Holy Grail” props and another Xena’s prop I can cross it off my wish list, this one has a place in my heart. The leather still has a special smell. 

Detailed view of the scabbard.

Back part close-ups.

 

Photos for references: