Statue Gimli Maquette

[Valarauko]

As a collector of the United Cutlery LOTR sword, axe, shield and helm items, it's awesome to see that SS has included very accurate versions of Gimli's Battle Axe (the one he's swinging), the Bearded Axe (right side) and his walking and throwing axes (left side). Have any earlier Gimli offerings included all of that?

 

[SnapJimmy]

I'm not too impressed so far.
I think the expression and likeness could've been better and
I don't know what that ladder is doing there.
I'd look better without it.

But I am getting him as I pre-ordered every LOTR Exclusive maquettes so far.

 

[woodsy]

Screen grabs notwithstanding, I think the point is the essence of the character right? So is Gimli in your impression a stoic character? I kind of thought he was more of a goof (which always bothered me), very confident, and enjoyed the art of battle very much. I think a full on berzerker face would have been too much, a screaming battle maw perhaps too much as well, a glint in the eye and a smirk fortelling his brimming enthusiasm to declare to Legolas "that's 17" would be perfect but probably really hard to sculpt and paint. I guess I'm picturng a sort of giddy seriousness about the skull about to cracked here.

Yes, from the very beginning SS remarked these maquettes were meant to capture the essence of the character as opposed to simply being scene specific [which explains why Gimli is leaping off a large rock as opposed to Balin's tomb]. That said, although this statue isn't scene specific, clearly it's inspiration is found in the Mines of Moria.

And while you have correctly referred to the 'comedic' aspect of Gimli's personality, we never saw that aspect in FOTR. It was not until half way through TTT during the drinking game with Legolas in Edoras, and moreso on the road from Edoras to Helm's Deep that we got our 1st glimpse of a 2nd side to Gimli's personality. Gimli IMO absolutely was a stoic character in FOTR and certainly so in the Mines of Moria....he was all business there, and clearly if you look at the screencaps [or better yet the movie scene itself] you will see a Gimli that isn't playing a counting game, and isn't emotional...he's simply taking care of business.

 

[woodsy]

As a collector of the United Cutlery LOTR sword, axe, shield and helm items, it's awesome to see that SS has included very accurate versions of Gimli's Battle Axe (the one he's swinging), the Bearded Axe (right side) and his walking and throwing axes (left side). Have any earlier Gimli offerings included all of that?

No doubt, this is the 1st Gimli statue to ever feature so many of Gimli's axes....four. And they all look to be extremely well detailed, but I don't see his walking axe. I do see his bearded axe [right side], his throwing and hand axe [left side] and battle axe [hands]...but no walking axe.

I believe the SSW Gimli statue features the battle, bearded, and throwing axes.

 

[The Josh]

Yeah, the SSW statue came with those axes.

 

[Obsidian]

Well I agree with many of the previous posters. Statue overall looks great! Pose is great, costuming is great, likeness is great IMO, and I LOVE the orc although I think it almost makes the regular undesirable which generally isn't the purpose of an exclusive..

I do think the expression is a bit bland but not a deal breaker. I am in agreement with many of you on the ladder....its a bit odd. I hope it is a separate piece that can be removed but I don't think we know that as of yet do we? If not, hopefully I can display it in the back and it will be a no harm, no foul deal.

Overall looks great!

 

[The Josh]

It appears the ladder is in the back to where you'll never see it really when displayed.

 

[woodsy]

The cool thing about these statues is you get to really appreciate the details of the costumes, where in the movie it's tough to pick up on. I never realized how much heat Gimli was packing!

I'm actually pretty surprised there's been so little discussion about this so far. The costume detailing is incredible, a significant upgrade both in detail and complexity to that of the SSW statue IMO. That is not a shot at the SSW version as it's retail cost was half that of SS's maquette, but just look at the amount of detailing in the shoulder and forearm armour, and how well that stacks up against the armour in the screencap.....outstanding!

 

[The Josh]

The detailing is amazing. I didnt go into detail on it myself but thats one of the things I mentioned. You can literally see every ring of the chainmail, the other upper shoulder pieces, armor in front, cloth, boots, etc. I really find it quite amazing the level of detail Tim packed into this piece. It must have been mind numbing to get it to look this great.

 

[woodsy]

The detailing is amazing. I didnt go into detail on it myself but thats one of the things I mentioned. You can literally see every ring of the chainmail, the other upper shoulder pieces, armor in front, cloth, boots, etc. I really find it quite amazing the level of detail Tim packed into this piece. It must have been mind numbing to get it to look this great.

Absolutely, Tim did a great job on this sculpt and no doubt the amount of time required to pack in all that detail was significant. I'm actually pretty shocked anyone would complain about the price of this maquette as clearly the complexity of Gimli's costume, and the amt. of time required to add all the intricate detailing is significantly greater than that of any other character produced to date.

As for the ladder, I don't have any problem with it. I do not have any photoshop skills, but I would love to see what it would have looked like had SS actually extended it downward so that it was almost level with the bottom of the base.....I think that would have looked even better.

 

[Timinator]

... I don't see his walking axe. I do see his bearded axe [right side], his throwing and hand axe [left side] and battle axe [hands]...but no walking axe.

After going through all of the films numerous times, I came to the conclusion that the walking axe must disappear into a 'Bag of Holding' moments prior to any and all fight scenes.

 

[The Josh]

Absolutely, Tim did a great job on this sculpt and no doubt the amount of time required to pack in all that detail was significant. I'm actually pretty shocked anyone would complain about the price of this maquette as clearly the complexity of Gimli's costume, and the amt. of time required to add all the intricate detailing is significantly greater than that of any other character produced to date.

I think between the detail of the outfit, sculpt on the face, and size of the piece I think you can see how the price is justified. Especially as you said that the statue appears to be even more detailed than what we've seen so far. Also take into the fact that GTG was $250 and that piece is awesome but outfit wise has a little less detailing.

As for the ladder, I don't have any problem with it. I do not have any photoshop skills, but I would love to see what it would have looked like had SS actually extended it downward so that it was almost level with the bottom of the base.....I think that would have looked even better.

Actually making it go all the way down to where the base touches the floor would have been better than removing it I think.

 

[Valarauko]

I think that, in the world of the LOTR MQ, the mentality used is that once you come to that line where the grass, rocks, etc. end, there is nothing below that. Therefore, the ladder ends at that line as well. Capice?

Granted it's somewhat of a contradiction that the orc's hand in the Ex is flopping over but hey - they're artists and they're allowed to use artistic license with orcs!

 

[The Josh]

I'll roll with that.

 

[woodsy]

I think that, in the world of the LOTR MQ, the mentality used is that once you come to that line where the grass, rocks, etc. end, there is nothing below that. Therefore, the ladder ends at that line as well. Capice?

Granted it's somewhat of a contradiction that the orc's hand in the Ex is flopping over but hey - they're artists and they're allowed to use artistic license with orcs!

I can't say I'm familiar of that 'rule of art' as it pertains to orc's, but it certainly fits if the flopping orc hand is any indication.

 

[FrodoEyes]

The costume detailing is incredible, a significant upgrade both in detail and complexity to that of the SSW statue IMO.

I think there's more detail in the pieces than you give credit for, also some people i've spoken to seem to think the chainmail isn't as good as it should be

I really want to order this statue to go with Aragorn and Legolas, as i think having the SSW Gimli with the 2 SS maquettes will look out of place. I like it from the side....... i can't decide!

 

[Awen]

I love the detail in Gimli, i think the ladder takes the aggressiveness action away from the over all sculpt though.

 

[bill59]

I really want to order this statue to go with Aragorn and Legolas, as i think having the SSW Gimli with the 2 SS maquettes will look out of place. I like it from the side....... i can't decide!

Please allow me to help you Jon...ORDER HIM!!!!!!!

There you go, you can always blame me...but I think you will be thanking me, if you take my advice.



Bill

 

[The Josh]

I think there's more detail in the pieces than you give credit for, also some people i've spoken to seem to think the chainmail isn't as good as it should be

I really want to order this statue to go with Aragorn and Legolas, as i think having the SSW Gimli with the 2 SS maquettes will look out of place. I like it from the side....... i can't decide!

I don't know how anyone could say the work Tim did on the chainmail isn't as good as it should be. IMO thats someone just looking to make an excuse to say something negative about it kind of like calling the Aragorn piece sub par.

I still have my SSW solo Gimli piece as its one of mine and my Dad's faves. However, I am stoked as a mofo to get this and add to this collection. I think this collection will only make what you have Jon even better.

 

[bill59]

As for the ladder, I don't have any problem with it. I do not have any photoshop skills, but I would love to see what it would have looked like had SS actually extended it downward so that it was almost level with the bottom of the base.....I think that would have looked even better.

Is this what you had in mind Collin?

Bill