The special effects banquet snake platter from Steven Spielberg’s action adventure Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The astonishing “Snake Surprise” platter was served during the feast at Pankot Palace as Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) questioned Chattar Lal (Roshan Seth) about the Thuggee cult. The large boa constrictor screen-matches to the scene in which Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw) watches in awe as it is cut open and live eels squirm out. Raj Singh, who played the young Maharaja, found this scene very troubling as he had a dislike for eels, even though it was supposed to be his character’s favourite delicacy.

Constructed from resin and fibreglass, the snake features a cut-out section (made from foam latex) to the front, revealing eleven eels inside. It has been realistically painted with a high level of detail and is coiled around a hammered aluminium tray and secured by four spikes. The tray displays a pattern of circles around its rim.

The film, which won an Academy Award® for Best Visual Effects, is renowned for its use of special effects — this platter being an example of the work which earned the film that accolade. It contains a complex network of cables and components which extend under the base of the tray and were fed through the banquet table. This allowed the special-effects crew to control the small mechanical creatures inside at the moment the snake was cut open, causing the real eels to spill out and create the illusion of writhing snake innards.

The snake platter is displayed on a custom-made black wooden mount to hide the mechanisms beneath. Accompanying it is an official collector’s edition book featuring behind-the-scenes information about the film. Over time, the front section of snake has become fragile, with the foam becoming brittle and the mechanisms showing signs of corrosion. The paint finish also shows minor chips. Dimensions (displayed): 60 cm x 83 cm x 76 cm (24 ½” x 32 ¾” x 30”)

£10,000 - 20,000

This item contains electrical 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.