Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

An original mask used in the production of the 1980 science fiction picture The Empire Strikes Back, the second instalment of the classic Star Wars franchise directed by Irvin Kershner.

The Ugnaughts are the diminutive workers of Cloud City who operate the carbon freeze chambers. The screen worn masks were made by a creature effects team headed up by chief makeup artist Graham Freeborn, son of creature designer Stuart Freeborn who would create Yoda on this picture. The Ugnaught masks were fabricated for the production by creature effects artist and veteran of the first Star Wars film Nick Maley.

This Ugnaught mask is an original worn on screen in The Empire Strikes Back. With all of the Ugnaught masks being individual sculpts and unique it is possible to identify this particular mask as the one worn on screen by Jack Purvis as the Chief Ugnaught who is responsible for operating the carbonite controls and removing the handcuffs from Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in the famous scenes where he is frozen in carbonite. The mask is constructed from foam latex with resin teeth and drawstring to the interior in order to operate the mouth.

The Ugnaught mask is in good condition considering its construction and age but does exhibit some hardening although the neck and cheek areas are largely supple and the hair is original. The mask has had some stabilisation work to prevent any further deterioration and is mounted on a head form on a stand of acrylic, this work was carried out by noted prop restoration expert Tom Spina. This impressive display stands approximately 16" high, 8" wide and 9" deep.

This represents an incredibly rare example of a screen used creature mask from one of the most influential and highly regarded franchises in cinematic history.