The latest issue (July 2007) of Xena Prop House contains an article by Barbie Arms about fake Xena chakrams sold to unsuspecting fans. It's a good cautionary tale about investigating as much as possible before you buy a prop (especially an expensive one).
Three metal chakrams, each decorated with white stones (not paua shells), each sold with the same story: it had been obtained directly from Lucy Lawless, given to a child during a set visit. The seller of the chakram obtained the gift chakram from the child's parent. Did the set visit and chakram gift happen? Yes. Is one of these fake chakrams THAT chakram? No.
How do we know this? Very specific information about the manufacture of metal Xena chakrams for the show has come from the prop master himself, Roger Murray. He has been shown pictures of the three suspect chakrams and has verified that they were not made by Pacific Renaissance. Be sure to check out the photos of the three chakrams in the Xena Prop House Newsletter.
Someone is out there manufacturing fake chakram props. The odd colored stones are the obvious tip off. If you hear of another one or you see one of these on ebay, please contact me here or Barbie Arms via the Xena Prop House Newsletter.
URL for Xena Prop House Newsletters hosted by MaryD:
http://ausxip.com/xenaprophouse/index.html
URL for the July 2007 issue in zip format for easier downloading:
http://ausxip.com/xenaprophouse/newsletter13-june07.zip
Xena collectors who share information of their experiences, both positive and negative, benefit the collecting community at large. Barbie Arms bought a fake prop and now she is aware of it. She wants everyone else in the Xena prop community to know it, too.
Be careful out there,
Chris
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