Lot 8
Tablets from Cecil B. DeMille's Ten Commandments
Used in the movie “The Ten Commandments”, carried by actor Charlton Heston in the character of Moses. Two round-topped fiberglass panels resembling reddish, speckled stone, with linguistically accurate Paleo-Hebrew inscriptions engraved and painted white. Mock-age related distressing on all edges. Each panel: 23” x 12”. Included is a souvenir: “The Ten Commandments” album in original envelope and an exhibit flyer for The DeMille Dynasty Exhibit. One of four pair of Tablets used in the movie believed to still exist.
From the consignor:
“In 1987, Americana Dance Theatre, Inc. a not-for-profit 501 © (3) arts organization founded in 1972, produced the “DeMille Dynasty Exhibition” in Los Angeles. an entire exhibition room displayed the amazing painting of artist Arnold Finberg (1913-2010) that were created for Cecil B. DeMille and used as Production Designs for his academy award winning film “The Ten Commandments”. The Tablets here were presented as a gift to the Americana Dance Theatre in recognition of their ongoing commitment to preserving American folk history through the Arts.”
“The Tablets were given to Americana by Arnold Friberg, the artist who created and painted the production designs for Cecil B. DeMille for “The Ten Commandments”. I also sent along a souvenir program illustrating the paintings of Arnold Friberg. On the cover of the booklet is a painting of Moses (Charlton Heston) carrying the Tablets. The Tablets were given to Americana after the Exhibition Americana produced, in 1986 (with an entire gallery space within the Exhibit dedicated to the works of Arnold Friberg), as a gift in recognition of the dedication the organization has to the preservation of American Folk History Through the Arts.”
One of the classic American epic movies from the 1950’s, Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments” was made in 1956 with an all-star cast and the tagline “The Greatest Event in Motion Picture History”. It won an Oscar for best Special Effects, and was nominated for 6 others, including best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Costumes, and Best Art Direction. Director DeMille hired specialists to create all the props, including the Tablets, and creating a set carved of red granite imported from Israel. DeMille’s commitment to authenticity is reflected in the resulting Academy Award and nominations, and in the enduring quality of the Tablets themselves.
Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000