Though it bore his initials carved and its stem was worn smooth by long years held in the Wizard’s grip, the wooden weapon did not always belong to him. Once upon a time it had been the staff of Gandalf’s friend Radagast, the Brown Wizard of Rhosgobel, who entrusted it to his Grey colleague’s care in recognition of his greater need: Gandalf having lost his own staff in Dol Guldur.
By the time Gandalf came to Bag End to council Frodo concerning the One Ring, the staff clutched the Wizard’s pipe in a crown of snapped roots where once a crystal had nested, and from its shaft hung a pouch of the Shire-grown pipeweed of which Gandalf had become so fond.
Long had it served Gandalf since given to him by Radagast, but in a strange twist it was another Wizard who would take it away. When Gandalf rode to Isengard seeking the wisdom of the head of his Order, Saruman the White instead betrayed his former friend and imprisoned him, taking the staff to deprive him of its potency.
About the Pipe Staff of Gandalf the Grey
The Pipe Staff of Gandalf the Grey is a 1:1 scale prop replica of the original staff in The Lord of the Rings films, crafted to exacting detail. It includes a full scale, non-functional replica of Gandalf's Pipe, complete with Tamper & leather Tobacco Pouch.
Given the wonderful but staggering task of creating the tens of thousands of pieces of armour and weapons, Weta Workshop needed to create pieces that not only seemed authentic but in some cases were the real deal. This involved the collaboration of a number of departments using both authentic processes and product, along with new and very "non-historic" ones.
This piece was designed and prototyped here at the Workshop. Images are of pre-production prototype. Each piece is painted by hand and variations will occur.
Behind-the-Scenes on The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Weta Workshop’s authentic prop replicas are designed by the very same artists and technicians who work on our movies, using the same techniques and materials. We treat our prop replicas with the same level of care, quality and attention to detail that we bring to our film work.
