MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (1975) - Model Miniature Trojan Rabbit
A model miniature Trojan rabbit from the cult comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. King Arthur (Graham Chapman) and his knights used the rabbit as a ruse to try to infiltrate the French soldiers’ castle. The rabbit was later catapulted from the battlements. The piece comes from the collection of renowned model-maker Valerie Charlton. This model was filmed by co-producer Julian Doyle after main location shots with the full size rabbit were completed. A fishing wire was used to simulate its flight from the battlements, although this actually took place over a rooftop in Hampstead, London. Constructed from balsa wood, the rabbit’s body features layered wood bark with four detailed balsa wheels. Its head is covered in thick patchwork, brown-stained cotton with adhered eyes and nose that are coloured with marker pen. Signs of wear are evident, including bending on the ears, light fraying on the wood bark and exposed remnants of glue residue. The rabbit comes with a detailed letter of authenticity from Charlton who made the model for the production. Accompanying the rabbit is a copy of the book Monty Python and the Holy Grail, published by Methuen. The book lavishly details the making of the film, including a reproduction of the script. Valerie Charlton has added an extensive handwritten foreword to the first two pages. Dimensions (rabbit): 23 cm x 15cm x 51 cm (9" x 6" x 20") VAT Status - Margin