Artifacts from Oz - The Wicked
Witch of the West
***
Here I have faithfully recreated some costume elements of the Wicked
Witch of the West from MGM's The Wizard of Oz.
The hat, made from felted wool and a chiffon scarf, was designed using
measurements listed in an auction description of an original hat used in
production of the 1939 film. The wig head has been decoupaged, and
"wigged" to impose the nature of the fairytale character associated
with the garment, without being so detailed as to detract from
it's utilitarian purpose.
The broomstick, measuring 6 feet long (not including imported Indonesian
grass) was hand lathed, detailed and stained. The silver rings are
custom made to match the original prop, and the dark brown leather
strapping is carefully hand wound to resemble the broomstick visible in
the Munchkinland sequence.
 |
I am currently working on recreating the famous hourglass in three
sizes, full scale half scale, and 1/4 scale. I am personally sculpting
the griffin posts, which will ultimately be cast in bronze-finished
resin. The full scale glass timer is being hand blown to resemble the
onion bulb like proportion of the original, as opposed to the more egg
shaped industrial equivalents available on today's market. Naturally,
they will be filled with the sinister, trademark, blood red sand.
Intended for display purposes the actual time telling function is being
disregarded in lieu of a specific look.
The wrought iron stand was custom made for the client for whom these
props were commissioned, but more can be made. It holds the hat to the
approximate height of the character as if she were standing in your
presence, and the curled arm, is meant to cradle the broom, to match the
pose of the Munchkinland confrontation between Ms. West and Ms.Gale
("Who killed my sister? Who killed the Witch of the East? Was it
YOU?") There is an adjustable, tabled arm intended for the eventual
hourglass, but could be equally suited for a pair of ruby slippers,
wooden mortar/pestle, or the 13" porcelain Mattel WWotW doll.
