Jiminy Cricket Maquette (405130)
Pinocchio was
the first Disney feature to utilize animator models or “maquettes”.
This skillfully crafted, hand-painted Jiminy sculpture originates from a
late 1930’s maquette in the company's collection; the production molds
are made from a 3D scan.
This
skillfully crafted, hand-painted sculpture was developed through the
shared efforts of The Walt Disney Archives and Enesco, LLC. Originating
from an animation maquette in the company's collection, the production
molds for this piece are made from a digital three-dimensional printout.
To distinguish it from the original, the final production size varies
approximately 10 percent. This piece is one of a sequentially numbered,
randomly distributed limited edition series of 3,500.
Established in 1938, the Character Model Department at Walt Disney
Studios employed sculptors to create three-dimensional figures. These
animator models or maquettes would expose crucial angles, reveal the
play of light and shadow, and clarify issues of perspective, allowing
artists to study each character in a brand new way. Originally sculpted
by hand out of clay, these initial pieces were cast as a limited number
of plaster models which were painted by the Inking and Painting
Department and distributed to key artists and animators. Pinocchio was
the first Disney feature to utilize these maquettes. They proved to be
so popular that Walt Disney occasionally used them as gifts to VIPs and
they were sometimes used as decor in studio offices.
To replicate the vintage coloration for this limited edition
reproduction, paint swatches from the Disney paint palette were
hand-matched to the originals. Certificate of Verification and
Storycard are included.
