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A rare original production cel of Gurgi from The Black Cauldron, shown full figure and mid-motion against a cel line art background. Gurgi is well placed in frame, with wide expressive eyes, dynamic pose and full clear linework. Paint is clean and consistent, and the cel is complete with the official Disney studio seal.
Gurgi, voiced by John Byner, was introduced as comic relief but ended up as the film's emotional core, famously sacrificing himself in the Cauldron to save Taran and his friends. The character's design sits somewhere between dog, raccoon and Hobbit, animated with a twitchy physicality that gave him more movement range than most of the cast.
The Black Cauldron was a turning point for Disney, released during a transitional era after Walt's death. Originally spearheaded by Woolie Reitherman, the film attempted to adapt the Chronicles of Prydain books into something as ambitious as Snow White. Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston both supported its development. The result was darker, stranger and more stylised than the studio's usual output, and for years, it sat outside the canon.
Today it's considered a cult title with a growing collector base, and original cels from the film are increasingly sought after. Gurgi remains its most distinctive character, and this is a sharp, expressive setup that reflects both his charm and his unexpected weight in the story. Dimensions: 41 cm x 31 cm (16.25" x 12.25")
Sold without copyright; see copyright notice in the Terms and Conditions.
Estimate: £900 - 1,800 Ω
View all lots from BLACK CAULDRON, THE (1985)