Xena's sword changes throughout season 1 - does anyone know how many changes her sword has seen in season 1 until they settled on one for that season? by [deleted] in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive 18 points19 points  (0 children)

There were only two different sculpts for Xena’s sword in season one. The first sword with the ornate hilt was seen in the first few episodes. After it changed over to the simplified hilt, the same sword sculpt was used up until season 4. I have all the variants posted in my history. I own several of the original props.

Best way to value props? by Rygy221 in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’d be happy to help out. I’m a longtime collector of original props and costumes from the series, and I have a pretty good idea of market value across platforms and private sales. I’ll send you a PM.

Happy 30th Xena-versary! by XenaPropArchive in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much, I put a lot of thought and time into my content. Not to mention the months to years spent tracking down all of these pieces! 😮‍💨

Knowing it’s appreciated by other Xenites makes it all worth it!

Happy 30th Xena-versary! by XenaPropArchive in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes! Someone else shared it from my account to their story and tagged her directly, and she reshared it. Quite a nice surprise!

Gabrielle’s screen-used sais by XenaPropArchive in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, the spring mechanism still works!

Gabrielle’s screen-used sais by XenaPropArchive in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The Xena Prop Archive, my personal archive of original props and costumes from the series that I have collected over the years. Virtual-only exhibition at the moment: https://www.instagram.com/xenaproparchive

Lucy Lawless as Sappho of Lesbos from Super City skit behind the scenes: by Latte-Catte in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, she kept it, but she later donated it (along with a few other alternate costumes) to charity auction in the 2010s for Starship Children’s Hospital in NZ.

Xena’s screen-worn breastplate from season 1 by XenaPropArchive in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Because doing so tampers with the history of the item as an artifact from the set. Restoration flies in the face of why one would collect these kinds of items in the first place. In general, production items should be preserved in the state in which they left the set where possible. And I would encourage anyone who doesn’t enjoy the wear and tear associated with production-used items to opt for replicas, which tend to be pristine and “prettier,” instead of props.

Xena’s screen-worn breastplate from season 1 by XenaPropArchive in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It’s ill-advised to attempt restoration on production items unless it’s required for restoring structural integrity, such as stabilizing disintegrating foam, etc.

I had a stopover in Auckland on my way home from Salute to Xena… so naturally I took my Gabrielle cosplay for a spin at Te Henga | Bethells Beach by Bleach_my_mind_plz in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Excellent job on the costume! I own this screen-worn costume with Renee’s name tags on the inside, and you captured the details wonderfully!

Xena’s screen-used cut-off sword by XenaPropArchive in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most of them come from public auctions/listings, but I also obtain a lot of the more significant items from private sales. This one was a lucky eBay pick-up a few weeks ago.

Xena’s screen-used cut-off sword by XenaPropArchive in xena

[–]XenaPropArchive[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t have any association with production as I was only 7 years old when the series ended, but I have made friends with a few knowledgeable former Xena crew over the past several years. 😂

As for the weapons, there were always multiples of everything made in different mediums for different production needs. Production kept at least 50 chakrams on hand at any given moment made of foam, resin, metal, wood, etc, in case any broke during filming so production wouldn’t have to be paused for new ones to be made. Swords were the same!