Staff of Ra Head Piece
- Thread starter hotfuzz
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VonMagnum
Sr Member
I just ordered yet ANOTHER Staff of Ra headpiece (#11) (detail appears to be similarly extreme like the above Brian's Arts version on this one coming but it's made of a zinc gold tinted alloy instead and I think it's the correct diameter. It was only $40 so I ordered one along with a Holy Grail replica to add to my bookshelf display). It does look "too clean/new" like the BamBox one (above was clearly already ink treated to age it), but I think an ink treatment could improve that. I'm saving the BamBox one clean for my future project I have in mind (meant to do it when I was off work, but never got to it).
I've also got a Staff of Ra necklace on order (scaled down verison) that was pretty cheap but made of bronze. That should arrive soon. So if I count the lapel pin and that necklace, that will be 13 total I will have. I'm still kind of kicking myself for not also grabbing that Noble Collection one when it went up for sale around the same time as the MK bronze one I bought instead, but it wasn't well reviewed and not cheap.
I've also got a Staff of Ra necklace on order (scaled down verison) that was pretty cheap but made of bronze. That should arrive soon. So if I count the lapel pin and that necklace, that will be 13 total I will have. I'm still kind of kicking myself for not also grabbing that Noble Collection one when it went up for sale around the same time as the MK bronze one I bought instead, but it wasn't well reviewed and not cheap.
agent5
Sr Member
Same here. A Noble HP just sold not too long ago on Evilbay too. Just missed it.
VonMagnum
Sr Member
Staff of Ra Headpiece #11 arrived....(from China, it seems). Full (and correct) size, loads of detail, too "new" looking, one piece (I wonder how an ink treatment would look), but at least it came with a necklace for $40. 
(the coral pieces look fake, but the chinese coin isn't bad...how about that a Chinese coin from China).
(the coral pieces look fake, but the chinese coin isn't bad...how about that a Chinese coin from China). 
Petertiger
Sr Member
personally I think that the Staff is the right size but Indy puts it in the top of one of the raised model buildings on the floor of the map room but he's standing on the floor so the Staff is raised higher than himDoes anyone have any photos of the Acme Magico version, particularly in gold plated and bronze? I want to compare it to the Michael Key version I have that sure seems to use the same mold.
Also, has anyone noticed that while the movie implies the Staff of Ra is 5 kadam high (60 inches) that the staff Harrison Ford is holding in the movie is taller than him and he's 6'1" tall? That means the staff he's using is OVER 72 inches high, not under it. I do recall reading that the actual inscription says ADD 1 kadam, not remove 1 kadam. It sure looks like 1 foot taller than Harrison Ford in the movie (see snapshot). The "MK" one I bought includes the staff and it's 74.5 (72 without the bottom attachment) inches tall at the medallion 'eye' with the bottom attachment (which inserts into the 'mold' in the map room). I mentioned the discrepency to the previous owner, but he said they were looking at the film footage, but that looks about 1 foot taller to my eyes (again see below), so I guess my Staff must be the German one and I'd be digging in the wrong place....
(Yes, I even found a movie mistakes site confirming what I thought: Movie Mistakes: The Incredible Shrinking Indiana Jones)
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Petertiger
Sr Member
Maybe I need to watch the movie to look if I'm rightDoes anyone have any photos of the Acme Magico version, particularly in gold plated and bronze? I want to compare it to the Michael Key version I have that sure seems to use the same mold.
Also, has anyone noticed that while the movie implies the Staff of Ra is 5 kadam high (60 inches) that the staff Harrison Ford is holding in the movie is taller than him and he's 6'1" tall? That means the staff he's using is OVER 72 inches high, not under it. I do recall reading that the actual inscription says ADD 1 kadam, not remove 1 kadam. It sure looks like 1 foot taller than Harrison Ford in the movie (see snapshot). The "MK" one I bought includes the staff and it's 74.5 (72 without the bottom attachment) inches tall at the medallion 'eye' with the bottom attachment (which inserts into the 'mold' in the map room). I mentioned the discrepency to the previous owner, but he said they were looking at the film footage, but that looks about 1 foot taller to my eyes (again see below), so I guess my Staff must be the German one and I'd be digging in the wrong place....
(Yes, I even found a movie mistakes site confirming what I thought: Movie Mistakes: The Incredible Shrinking Indiana Jones)
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You can also see him walking with the staff before entering the well of souls, the staff is still taller than Harrison (6' 1", according to the internets). I'm pretty sure it's a goof.
Petertiger
Sr Member
your right i forgot about the scene were he's walking with the Staff
VonMagnum
Sr Member
What's important is which version of the medallion is this and where can I buy one.
It seems to have the wider neck (i.e. not from the "Acme" prototype line), lacks some detail in the wings, but has decent tail feathers (Acme does have this feature), has a red jewel and a built-in rope-like braid with a slightly flattened bottom. Great finish, though. Hotfuzz didn't pay too much for it either and apparently got it in Britain. I've attempted to contact him with no luck. Nothing has been coming up on eBay, Etsy or here lately, let alone finding one of these. It's frustrating, I tell you. It would make an even dozen....
It seems to have the wider neck (i.e. not from the "Acme" prototype line), lacks some detail in the wings, but has decent tail feathers (Acme does have this feature), has a red jewel and a built-in rope-like braid with a slightly flattened bottom. Great finish, though. Hotfuzz didn't pay too much for it either and apparently got it in Britain. I've attempted to contact him with no luck. Nothing has been coming up on eBay, Etsy or here lately, let alone finding one of these. It's frustrating, I tell you. It would make an even dozen....
Is there an agreed upon, properly accurate, Headpiece currently in production?
VonMagnum
Sr Member
I think most people would agree that Relicmaker's two Staff of Ra medallions are the most accurate still in production. He makes a "Raven Bar" version and an "Imam" version. The latter is a second generation cast.
This is my Relicmaker "Raven Bar" with chain on a Landron display stand with natural lightning in my home theater room display:
This is a flash closeup of my Relicmaker "Imam" medallion on an easel display stand (back side view). The "Imam" medallion is from the scene in the movie where the Imam (old guy that reads the medallion) is show Indy and Sallah the translation of the headpiece. It's also shown when Indy first shows it to Sallah. The rest of the scenes (in the Raven Bar and in the map room mounted on the staff itself) show the "Raven Bar" medallion above. You'll notice the Raven Bar version has different lettering and a more two dimensional flat wing design. The Imam version has more feather details and a separate soldered on chain around the edge (braided chain shown in the bottom photo).
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VonMagnum
Sr Member
Anyone hear about or have any comments regarding the Staff of Ra "Coins" and full sized medallion "coins" sold by "Ravenwood Coins" ? I saw the guy's Facebook page and he has a Staff of Ra "coin" full sized medallion that has the Raven Bar version on one side and the Imam version on the other side (I like the Raven Bar side; I'm less thrilled with the in accuracy of the "Imam" side seeing it has no feathers and the angels in the wings look like triangles. The headpiece I just got from China (a few posts above) looks similar in "stamped coin-like design" but it has all the accurate feathers and the angels on it). The smaller "coin size" versions seem reasonably priced. The full size "coin" medallion with coin/stone chain was a bit pricier, but I'm always tempted to add #12 to my Staff of Ra headpiece collection. I just bought three 1930s lighters for about that amount so I'm hesitant to buy another medallion I clearly don't need.
OK, this might be going too far.... (saw this on eBay):
Yes ! But it will be off by ONE hour because the rest of the inscription is missing off the back of the watch !!
VonMagnum
Sr Member
I've got one just like that. Loads of detail. I should put it up for a big auction! I paid $40, but I bet I could get $5000+ if I can convince the auction house it's a crew gift! It doesn't seem to be too difficult given they seemed to have auctioned off an Indy Magnoli already for that kind of money thinking it was an original. (see: Golden Headpiece of the Staff of Ra from Raiders of the Lost Ark.) <---- I have one almost identical to that one right down to the tail feathers and braid). I paid around $55 for it (admittedly that was a very good deal; it should have gone for more like $150-250, but still....
Here's mine like above (look at that feather detail!)
Here's mine like above (look at that feather detail!)
VonMagnum
Sr Member
I'm not familiar with either source or their reputation, but after seeing that version in the Profiles In History gave me serious pause as it's clearly not an original as far as I can tell (not an expert, but I do personally own 12 different medallions now). I'm glad to hear Propstore is more reliable (I'll take your word for it).
In any case, there's little difference other than any detail lost to me personally between a "crew gift" and a remold as neither were ever used on-screen (count one generation removed). I'm happy with my RM 2nd generation medallion, for example. A first gen would be nicer in a way, but still not the same as owning the one (well at least two really as the Raven Bar and Imam versions are different) actually used on-screen in the movie and held by Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, etc. The one above was dirt cheap and looks nearly identical save the cheaper "jewel" used in it (popped out and replaced with a crystal it would look pretty darn close).
In any case, there's little difference other than any detail lost to me personally between a "crew gift" and a remold as neither were ever used on-screen (count one generation removed). I'm happy with my RM 2nd generation medallion, for example. A first gen would be nicer in a way, but still not the same as owning the one (well at least two really as the Raven Bar and Imam versions are different) actually used on-screen in the movie and held by Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, etc. The one above was dirt cheap and looks nearly identical save the cheaper "jewel" used in it (popped out and replaced with a crystal it would look pretty darn close).
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