This lot will be sold on Tuesday, 1st December (day 1 of the auction.) Lots 1-463 will be sold on day 1 (lots 464-913 will be sold on day 2). The auction will begin at 2:00 pm GMT. Lots are sold sequentially so there is no preset ending time. A live streaming broadcast of the auction will be available on auction days.
Bruce Lee's outdoor-filming nunchaku from his incomplete martial arts film Game of Death. Martial arts legend Bruce Lee sadly passed away before completing production and Robert Clouse, director of Enter the Dragon, was enlisted to finish the film. Clouse's revised version was released in 1978, using some of the original footage to complete the movie.
Lee wielded his nunchaku, also known as nunchucks, during test promotional fight scenes photographed in 1972, in the New Territories countryside of Hong Kong. These scenes included his fight against Dan Inosanto, but the footage was ultimately lost and a different duel appeared in the rescripted version of the film. The nunchaku were displayed as part of a dedicated exhibition which took place at a 2014 SENI show at the London Soccerdome, alongside many other pieces of Lee memorabilia.
Made by Lee's student and friend George Lee, the nunchaku comprise two light-lacquered tapered wooden handles, which feature metal cap tops and are joined together via a dark chain. Three grip grooves are located on the kikon-bu (lower) section of both handles.
Bruce Lee customised the weapon with a longer chain, something he often did for practical use. George Lee came into possession of this weapon after Bruce Lee's passing and kept it for around 40 years.
There are visible signs of rewelding on the chain anchor loops, very light scuffing on the wood, and minor wear on the metal caps from use. The nunchaku are accompanied by a letter of authenticity signed by George Lee's family. Dimensions: 84 cm x 3 cm x 3 cm (33" x 1 1/4" x 1 1/4")
Ownership of this weapon may be restricted. Please enquire for further details. It is solely the buyer's responsibility to check, prior to ordering, the legal status of this prop within their own country and its importation therein.
Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 M