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A Chachapoyan fertility idol executive gift from the production of Steven Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark. In the classic opening sequence, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) ventured deep into an ancient Chachapoyan temple to recover a gold fertility idol, setting off a series of deadly traps in the process.
The Chachapoyan temple sequence served as the opening for the first Indiana Jones film and audiences' introduction to the now-iconic character. The fertility idol, the central focus of that sequence, remains one of the most instantly recognizable props in the Indiana Jones franchise.
Following filming, production gifted this plaster idol to a Paramount Pictures executive, from whose collection it originates today. While the idol seen in the final cut of the film featured an open mouth with upturned corners, production also made a version with a frowning mouth that may have been used for stunts. This idol features a frowning mouth, and is therefore believed to be a first-generation casting from the production frown-mouthed idol made in the UK. While the frown-mouthed idol is frequently copied, this specific example is slightly larger, indicating it comes from the original mold.
Painted entirely gold-color (including on its eyes, unlike the version in the film, which were painted white with distinctive irises and pupils), this gift is cast around a threaded metal rod for mounting to a custom wood display base. Similar wood bases were used on castings of the Staff of Ra headpiece gifted to other Raiders of the Lost Ark crew members. The plaster shows evidence of minor wear consistent handling, and age, including nicks on its chin and feet. Dimensions: 9" x 9" x 10.5" (32 cm x 23 cm x 26.75 cm)
Estimate: $15,000 - 30,000
View all lots from INDIANA JONES AND THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
View all lots from INDIANA JONES - ALL ITEMS
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.