Collection costumes and replicas.

A few photos of my Xena personal collection displayed. Probably the most iconic pieces from the tv series I own. In this case, some Creation Entertainment shadow boxes, Xena battle sword replica and Gabrielle staff replica. And a complete Xena Hero costume and Gabrielle season 3 Hero costume with leather purse.

General view.

Side view.

 

Xena and Gabrielle costume displays.

Xena weapons details

 Xena weapons rare photos. I'm absolutely impressed with the details of the Creation sword and chakram, the paua shells inlay are awesome!

Swords used by Xena during the series

 

Very proud of owning almost 4 different style swords used by Xena during the series, left to right: 

☑️Xena screen accurate twin of Xena’s “A friend in need” sacred katana seen in the last episodes used by Xena to kill Yodoshi and free the 40.000 souls condemned.

☑️Xena screen used evil sword seen in the flashbacks used by Xena played by Lucy Lawless.

☑️ Xena trade mark sword replica by Creation Entertainment forged by the same propmasters that did the ones seen on screen, came from the same mold.

☑️Xena screen used Egyptian sword used by Xena played by Lucy Lawless in the episode: “Anthony and Cleopatra” from season 5.

Comparing Xena swords

Xena swords are always important pieces of my collection. In this case, I wanted to take a few photos of my screenused metal retractable sword used by Lucy Lawless during the last episodes from the series and my newly acquisition, the Creation Entertainment Xena sword replica forged by the prop masters from the series. 

So we can admit these swords were made from the same mold. The handle, guard and pommel seem to be the same shape, however the blades are different because of the screenused sword can retracts and after the blade is inserted inside the sword when it's leaning on something, it has a "spring" mechanism that allows the blade to return to the initial position. Also, it doesn't have battle marks on it. On the other hand, the Creation Ent replica has the original battle worn blade, is stunning.

The main difference is the painting techniques used in both swords. The screenused has a orange-gold tone in the guard and pommel with some green paint to add an aged oxide effect and the Creation Ent sword was painted in a light gold tone and added an aged bass and some green paint in some cases.

Well, another differences the paua shells inlay. The screenused sword used a very high quality genuine paua from New Zealand with a green and blue intense colors. And the Creation Ent replica has a high quality paua shells with brilliant colors in some cases but some replicas came with opal shells instead.

The pommel from both swords has the same shape, however, the concho over the pommel from the screenused sword has the geometrical forms a bit blurred, probably due to normal deterioration of the mold and the appearance of some bubbles in the cast process. The Creation Ent replica concho from the pommel is in perfect shape, because this concho wasn't cast with the rest of the sword, it was attached to the metal sword after.

Blades close-up photo.

Xena Battle Sword by Creation Entertainment

After more than a decade searching this sword and have lost a few of them (wrong time) finally I was able to acquire this beautiful sword forged by the same blacksmiths that did the ones shown in screen, the same mold was used. 

This sword is light weight despite being metal, around 1,9 kg and it measures 80 cm. This sword arrived with a missing paua shell in the pommel that I have quickly replaced and the aged bas patina was almost totally removed and I decided to restore it properly as it probably was.

In the original advertisement the sword had a price of 569,95 dollars plus shipping. However, nowadays the price range of this swords is between 1000-2000 dollars. Also, last year was sold one Creation sword in the Xena convention for over 6000 usd and another one was sold in the AUSXIP charity auction for over 5500 usd, although this prices went to high because of the charity auction purpose was to raise much money as possible.

Pommel close-up.

This sword was distributed by Creation Entertainment between 1997-2002. The advertising is written: "Forged by the actual propmasters for Xena: Warrior Princess, direct from New Zealand, this collectible is an exact duplicate of Xena's incredible sword and available in a limited, exclusive, numbered edition of 500 worldwide! The sword is 31 1/2 inches long, and 4.92 inches across the hilt. It has inlaid paua shell in the handle and is bound with black leather on the hand grip. It has an aged bas patina on the hilt and the blade is rough and battle worn. Each sword includes a numbered and signed Certificate of Autenticity. These are the real thing!" 

Front and back general view.

In the coming days I will update with new photos of the sword with chakrams, scabbard, whip and other props/replicas. 

  

"New Zealand made" close-up.

Here is the original advertising were was announced the sword:

 

Image Credits: http://xenastuff.blogspot.com/

Moloch & Bellerophon style sword prop

Last month I have received this screen used stunt Bellerophon & Morloch style sword. This sword was seen in the sixth season of the tv series used by Morloch (played by Sandy Winton) and his men in the episode “Dangerous Prey” and by Bellerophon (played by Craig Parker) and his men in the episode “To Helicon and back”. The main reason that I have purchased this sword is to complete my Morloch costume with their trade weapon, however is still missing the boomerang.

This large sword is made of hard resin with a metal rod inside. The handle is wrapped with real black leather and the blade is made of soft foam to avoid damage to the actors. 

Despite of the age of this sword (over 20 years) it is still in good condition.

Handle close-up.

Screencaps for references:

"Here comes Miss Amphipolis..." scroll

One of most wanted Xena props were the scrolls that appeared during the tv series. In this case, this is the screenused scroll used by Salmoneus in the winner proclamation of the Miss Known World Pageant contest. So, this piece had a leading role in this episode. The scroll was originally purchased in the New Zealand auction that took place after the show ended.

It is made of a kind of recycled paper or papyrus. The ends grips are made of wood and resin shells. The scroll is in mint condition for being over 25 years after the episode aired in January 20, 1997.

As we remember, the scroll has the beauty pageant finalists: first place for Miss Amphipolis, second place for Miss Skiros, third place for Miss Mesini, fourth place for Miss Parnassus and the last position was for Miss Artiphys, that became winner after the others quitted. 

Inner close-up.

Back close-up.

Definitely, an act of inclusion to transgender people, acceptance and equality of the collective that in the early 90’s they were synonym of social exclusion and marginalization by society in general with hardly any references on national television.

Screen matched marks are rounded with green, blue and red circles.