Bidding for this lot will end on Wednesday, March 25th. The auction will begin at 9:30 AM (PDT) / 12:30 PM (EDT) / 4:30 PM (GMT) 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 Thursday, March 26th or Friday, March 27th.

Darth Maul's (Ray Park) short-bladed lightsaber from George Lucas' Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Sith Lord Darth Maul wielded his signature double-bladed lightsaber during the climactic fight against Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) in Theed Palace on Naboo.

Darth Maul was skilled in the ways of the dark side, creating his double-bladed saberstaff as his signature weapon. Although his lightsaber was first seen on screen in The Phantom Menace, it originated in the comic-book series Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi. Short-bladed weapons were created for the filming of action sequences, for which full length blades were too cumbersome.

The Phantom Menace, the first new Star Wars film in 16 years and the first to be directed by Lucas since the original 1977 film, was one of the most highly anticipated films of all time and broke box office records upon release. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards®: Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing, and Best Visual Effects.

This lot consists of a resin lightsaber hilt with machined steel end caps cast around M10 threaded rods on each end and an internal steel core for weight and strength, and two short aluminium "blades" (staffs) painted orange. The threaded rods allowed for quick installation and frequent replacement of the blades as they were damaged during dueling sequences.

The hilt is finished in silver-color with shades of dark gray to give depth to the detailing throughout, including the two ribbed hand grips and parts of the blade-emitter plate. The activator buttons are painted a metallic red to allow for easier handling - a common practice on lightsabers intended for dueling sequences - and control lock buttons span the hilt's length.

The blades exhibit splotching and discoloration from use and age, the hilt exhibits several small slashes, and the rods exhibit rusting and discoloration from having the blades attached and removed. Dimensions: 89.25" x 4" x 4" (227 cm x 10.25 cm x 10.25 cm)

Estimate: $30,000 - 60,000