A Victor Van Dort (Johnny Depp) puppet from Tim Burton's stop-motion film Corpse Bride. Unfortunate hero Van Dort unknowingly married Emily (Helena Bonham Carter), a dead woman, when practicing his vows. He desperately attempted to annul his marriage and leave the underworld to be with his intended bride, Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson).

Based on Burton's unique, recognisable drawing style, the Corpse Bride puppets were created by the special effects production company Mackinnon and Saunders, one of the world's leading puppet-making companies, who previously collaborated with Burton on Mars Attacks!

Constructed around a steel and aluminium poseable armature, the puppet is made of intricately painted resin and silicone components. It is outfitted in a grey shirt and blue cravat made of silicone, with the rest of the clothing made of fabric, including a grey frock coat and waistcoat, brown and black pinstripe trousers and a pair of black faux-leather shoes. Distressing has been applied to the garments for the sequence when Van Dort stumbled through the woods in shock.

To create Van Dort's many facial expressions in the film, the head is fitted with elaborate internal watch-like mechanisms. It houses a complex series of paddles, gears and pins that can be controlled by an Allen key inserted through the ears and back of the head. This allows the jaw to drop and the cheeks to contort. In addition, a cut in the back of the frockcoat gave the puppeteer access to control the armature within.

The puppet is presented on a black-painted wooden base and is accompanied by an original Warner Bros. certificate of authenticity. It shows evidence of age and production use, including small cracks on the right hand, shirt and cravat, and glue residue on the exposed leg. Dimensions: 18 cm x 18 cm x 50 cm (7" x 7" x 19 3/4")

This item contains mechanical components. While every effort is made to describe them accurately, no guarantee or warranty is made as to functionality, lifespan or safety of those components. It is entirely incumbent on the new owner to satisfy themselves as to their safe use and maintenance.

£20,000 - 30,000