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:

Mum's wood showcase

I decided to pick up this vintage wooden showcase from my mum’s home and display my Xena’s collection differently. Xena is a vintage series, why not a vintage furniture to display it.

 

 

Here there is my set used hero resin chakram, Xena's hero boot, Xena's boot dagger, Xena's Creation whip, Xena's screen used swords (up, Xena's hero plated sword, down, Xena's hero resin sword signed by Lucy) and leather scabbard, Xena's hero metal Yin Yang chakram, Gabrielle's hero plated sai and Gabrielle's stunt foam sais. 

Here there is Callisto's metal Creation sword, Callisto's metal dagger from Todd's Costumes, Athena's stunt sword, Athena's style dagger, Gabrielle's Helicon Amazon Queen sword signed by Renée, Prometheus's metal hero sword, Hord Axe, Xena's Valkyrie stunt helmet, Livia's stunt sword and  Xena's Creation breast dagger.

Mix of props: Xena's sacred katana, Gabrielle's Higuchi Millitia sword, Morloch's sword, Skull style sword, Amazon swords and scabbard, some daggers and Hercules's gauntlets in the back.

Mix of props: Amazon turtle shield, Cleopatra's sword, Caesar's stunt sword, Brunhilda's sword, Indrajit's sword,Valkyrie's sword, Roman style dagger and other daggers.

One side of the showcase and mannequins.

Senetus's costume

Last addition to my collection is the Livia’s commander, Senetus, costume worn by Paul Glover (also played Menticles, in “The Price”) in the episode Eve from season 5.

 

The costume includes the fabric tunic pieces: shirt and skirt made of a light beige cotton with a red ribbon around and Livia’s army designs painted on the sleeves and the bottom of the skirt.  I decided to took a few photos with the Livia’s sword that is closely related to it.

I just verify that the metal cuffs are same style that the ones used by Brutus in “When Fates collide” from season 6.

Obviously, the metal armour is awesome but my storage capacity almost collapse, so I am complete with Caesar and Brutus’s metal armours.

Iconic swords

This last year I have the chance to find all these beauties: Xena Creation sword, Callisto Creation sword, screen used Livia sword and screen used Prometheus sword. Which one is your favorite?

Rare Livia's sword

Quite rare find Livia/Eve, Xena’s daughter and the “bitch” of Rome, screen used sword prop. Probably one of the most iconic swords from the tv series.

Used by Livia played by Adrienne Wilkinson in the episodes of “Livia” and “Eve” from season 5, “The haunting of Amphipolis” and in a few flashbacks in “Path of vengeance” from season 6. This sword was used by Varia played by Tsianina Joelson in “Path of Vegeance” in season 6.

It is a rare find of an specific style of sword only used by the same character. This sword probably was used in the fight scenes to avoid any damage. 

Side 1.

Side 2.

The handle, guard and pommel is made of hard resin and the blade is foam with a metal structure (rod) inside. The condition is excellent however it has signs of wear and chips in the painting.

In this photo you appreciate the intricate design of the hilt. The cross guard has the same shape of the common roman swords with a few differences. The handle that used to be made of leather strip in most of the sword seen on screen is not the case. This sword has an unique design on the handle with some flower and nature mandala reliefs.

Also, in this case the blade of this sword is quite different of the roman soldier swords. The blade is quite wide and thick on the tip. It has signs of wear and battle used marks but it is not bent.

Probably here is one of my more beloved swords of my collection. I had never thought I was going to have the chance of purchasing this amazing sword. It comes with the Turners Auction invoice.

Photos and screencaps for reference: