Darth Maul's (Ray Park) lightsaber with close-action fighting blades from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Darth Maul masterfully wielded his lightsaber during the final battle sequence in Theed Palace, where the Sith apprentice fought Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor).

Darth Maul was skilled in the ways of the dark side of the Force, creating the saberstaff as his signature weapon. Although the double-bladed lightsaber was first seen on screen in The Phantom Menace, it originated in the comic-book series Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi.

This particular lightsaber was produced for fighting sequences, and shortened blades were added to allow the actors to perform close-combat moves with a reduced chance of injury. Such lightsabers were also used for tighter framed shots. Originally, the hilt of the weapon was much shorter, which made it incredibly hard for Park to perform his impressive, acrobatic moves; he raised these concerns with the prop team and the design was appropriately tweaked. The construction of lightsaber blades evolved throughout the production of the Star Wars prequels.

The double-ended hilt is cast in resin, with a metal internal core to add weight and strength and machined metal end caps. It is finished in faux-silver paint, with red-painted detailing representing the multiple activator buttons which run down the length of the hilt. Shades of dark grey have been applied to give additional depth to the detailing throughout, including the two ribbed handgrips and parts of the blade-emitter plates. Each of the two blades comprises an aluminium tube covered in shrink-wrapped luminous orange paint. Four bolt fastenings adorn each blade, added to allow the lightsaber blade to be secured.

The hilt displays minor scratches, paint wear - which has exposed the resin beneath on some parts - and signs of corrosion, which are present on the metal projection plates. Damage to the shrink-wrap layer is present on one of the blades, and both tubes feature minor scratches, scuffs and marks from use on production. Dimensions: 134 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm (52 3/4" x 2" x 2")

£30,000 - 50,000 † Δ