Bidding for this lot will end on Sunday, December 7th. The auction will begin at 3:00PM GMT (7:00AM PST) and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Friday, December 5th or Saturday, December 6th.
An exceptional original production cel featuring Mowgli, Shere Khan, and Baloo from The Jungle Book (1967), presented on a hand-painted presentation background that perfectly enhances the scene's visual storytelling.
This dynamic setup captures one of the film's most memorable moments found towards the end of the film: the thrilling jungle chase between Shere Khan and the unlikely pair of man-cub and bear. Each figure has been meticulously hand-painted on celluloid acetate, the vivid colours and fluid motion exemplifying the artistry of Disney's late 1960s animation style.
As the final film personally overseen by Walt Disney before his death in 1966, The Jungle Book occupies a deeply significant place in animation history. Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman and animated by a team that included several of Disney's legendary Nine Old Men, the film combined humour, warmth, and musicality in a way that defined the studio's identity for a new generation.
Animators such as Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas imbued the characters with remarkable personality: Mowgli's youthful defiance, Shere Khan's controlled menace, and Baloo's endearing clumsiness all reveal a mastery of character animation that set a new benchmark for expressive storytelling.
This cel setup perfectly encapsulates that energy. Mowgli races ahead, full of youthful determination; Shere Khan lunges forward, predatory and graceful; while Baloo's wide-eyed panic adds both urgency and humour to the composition. The physical interplay between the three characters conveys narrative tension, achieved through a balance of timing, line work, and staging that only Disney's veteran animators could accomplish.
The Jungle Book was not just an artistic triumph but a cultural one. With its unforgettable songs by the Sherman Brothers and Louis Prima's charismatic vocal performance as King Louie, the film captured the free-spirited optimism of the late 1960s. Its success ensured the continuation of feature animation at the studio, inspiring decades of subsequent productions.
Original production cels from The Jungle Book are increasingly scarce, particularly those uniting multiple principal characters in full action. This example stands out for its scale, composition, and expressive vitality, a quintessential moment of Disney storytelling that bridges adventure and affection.
For collectors, it represents not only a rare piece of animation history but a snapshot of the final chapter of Walt Disney's creative vision brought vividly to life. Dimensions (framed): 95 cm x 47.25 cm x 4.25 cm (37.5" x 18.5" x 1.75")
Sold without copyright; see copyright notice in the Terms and Conditions.
Estimate: £4,000 - 8,000 Ω
View all lots from JUNGLE BOOK, THE (1967)