432

Original Master Wood Carving for Haunted Mansion Serpent Doorknob

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Disneyana Start Price:45,000.00 USD Estimated At:45,000.00 - 55,000.00 USD
Original Master Wood Carving for Haunted Mansion Serpent Doorknob
All items are sold as is. Contact Van Eaton Galleries for condition reports and shipping information. 18% Buyers Premium for payment by Cash, Cashiers Check, Money Order, or Bank Wire. 21% Buyers premium for payments made by Credit Card, Debit Card, or PayPal.
(Disneyland, 1969) Seen in the Haunted Mansion’s pre-show and atmospheric “corridor of doors” scene, the serpent doorknob is an iconic detailed element of the classic attraction. This is the original wood carving used to create the mold from which each doorknob was cast. The sculpture was created by Ciro Rolando Santana Y Arrite, a talented Cuban sculptor who immigrated to the United States in 1969. A popular artist in his home country, Arrite took a temporary job in the Disneyland park, in the hopes of saving enough money to bring his family to the United States. He had only been at Disney a few weeks when word went out that WED was looking for an additional sculpture for a project. Arrite went to WED, presented his credentials, and was immediately hired as an Imagineer. He went on to sculpt all of the original ornamental elements and furnishings for the Haunted Mansion. The molds from this 1969 original carving are used as fictional and animated props in all the Haunted Mansion attractions in Disney parks around the world. Presented in fine condition and measuring 9”x3”x0.75”. This is an extremely rare and desirable item.