Like the weirdest Ikea in the universe, all those fabulous Hobbit props have been preserved for posterity in one of several secret warehouses brimming of Jacksonian paraphernalia.
Shields, helmets and what appears to be part of a gauntlet or wrist guard revealing battle wear and tear. As contained in a wooden crate on wheels, revealing errant paint application from the set-decorating department.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Note the elaborate ‘curly’ motifs on the quivers in the second barrel.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Dwarven armoury, marble bust and banner: from the suiting-up sequence, rows of thick dwarven blades and multi-bladed mega-axes (for the dwarf who needs the blade). The burnt orange banner reveals a hammer sigil. And who is the serious fellow atop the green plinth? Sadly our dwavish can’t run to a translation, but we’re guessing this is the likeness of Thror, dragon-sickness struck grandfather of Thorin.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Most likely of orc extractions, the safer rubber weapons (which could still deal out a decent bruise) were carried by squabbling extras filling out the wide shots. Whereas, intricate ‘hero’ props were designed and built for the close ups.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Despite the lovingly carved plinths suggesting Erebor gear, the long pikes tell you this is mostly Iron Hill garb.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Gold tailed elf arrows and bows: with natty fletching from some mysterious orange-plumed bird of Middle-earth. The bubble-warp appears to be of Gondor extraction.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Beorn’s rocking chair: built and carved from gargantuan chunks of wood (whether actual Mallorn wood, we couldn’t tell you). All of Beorn’s furniture hints at Viking motifs. Meanwhile, through the back you can see Beorn’s TV cabinet that didn’t make the final cut.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Gold, lovely gold: the merest bucketful of Smaug’s vast hoard. Notice how each coin is stamped with its own motif, including dwarven heads, horses and, boats. You can also see an Erebor fifty pence piece.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Perfect for any discerning fan’s torture dungeon, large spiked beams from the fell woodland estate of the Necromancer. In the foreground you can see Sauron’s magazine rack — subscription to Empire recently lapsed.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Here is but a smattering of Bilbo’s fine furnishings. Again all of them are handmade to an incredible level of detail, and scaled to Martin Freeman. We’re not sure where the ratcheted lectern figured either.
Photo: Louise Hatton
At last the answer to the riddle of how does the great wizard replenishes his staffs.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Featuring more Dol Guldur accoutrements (including wizard sized cage and all-purpose gibbet), braziers, pots, elven basins, miniature cart, and charred bodies.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Authentically coopered in South Farthing.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Specially constructed for a wizard’s beady eye to peer through.
Photo: Louise Hatton
Carved to serve as the twisty-turny pillars of Thranduil’s great hall, or they could be Beorn’s coat hooks. In the background an Ent can be seen hard at work.
Photo: Louise Hatton