Film Ring Replica Goes to US City
Jens Hansen Gold & Silversmith, Creators & Designers of the One Ring for the LOTR movies are pleased to announce the gifting of one of the first of a limited edition set of replicas to an American city.
A group led by Paul Matheson, Mayor of Nelson, New Zealand visited the city of Eureka in California on the weekend to formalise a sister city arrangement between the two cities. As part of the exchanging of gifts Mayor Matheson presented #2 of a limited edition of 100 replicas of Sauron's gauntlet ring. The ring is measures almost 2 inches in diameter, and is made of close to 3 oz. of sterling silver & richly plated in 18ct gold.
The Nelson region in the South Island of New Zealand was home to sets for the filming of Chetwood Forest, Rivendell and the Dimrill Dale exit from the Mines of Moria.
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Eureka, CA, USA Newspaper Report
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New Zealand Herald Article
Ring bonds sister cities
25.03.2004 6.09 am
The Nelson silversmiths who crafted the ring for the Lord of the Rings film trilogy are giving the first of a limited edition set of replicas to an American city.
The ring will be presented at a ceremony in California on Saturday when Eureka and Nelson become sister cities.
Silversmith Thorkild Hansen plans to make 100 more rings. His father, the late Jens Hansen, designed and made the prototype used in the film.
Nelson Mail Article
Film ring replicas to go to US city
24 March 2004
By BRIDGET CULL
The Nelson silversmiths who crafted the ring for the Lord of the Rings film trilogy are giving the first of a limited edition set of replicas to an American city.
Silversmith Jens Hansen designed and made the prototype ring and after he died his son, Thorkild, made the rest of the rings used in the films. Thorkild recently created a larger replica, with plans to make 100 more.
He has so far made the first 10, keeping the first one for his family and the second one is with Nelson Mayor Paul Matheson. The rings were made of silver with 18-carat gold plating, Mr Hansen said.
A group led by Mr Matheson was to fly to the city of Eureka in California on Wednesday to formalise a sister city arrangement between the two cities.
He was looking forward to giving the ring to the city at a ceremony this Saturday, when the agreement would be signed.
"It'll actually be the first of the rings in the world. Most of them will know about The Fellowship of the Ring but they probably wouldn't know the original ring was made in Nelson. So it'll be a chance to tell them that."
Mr Hansen said giving the ring to Eureka was a great idea because the business constantly received calls of interest from Americans. "Now we'll be able to say well, our sister city is Eureka and you can go have a look at it there."
Mr Matheson said the ring had been bought by the city council but he would not say how much it cost and Mr Hansen said he was as yet unsure how much he would charge for the other rings.
The group going to Eureka includes sister city coordinator Pat Jones, two Nayland College staff members and their spouses, Commerce Nelson chief executive Marilyn Gibbs and husband Colin and Nelson seven-member jazz show band Bourbon Street Beat.
They are all paying for themselves except Mr Matheson who is going courtesy of the council's sister city fund. Council chief executive Viesturs Altments said $5769 of the fund was being used for this, which was the price of Mr Matheson's airfares. His accommodation and other expenses were being provided by Eureka.
The group is expected home on April 1.
REPLICA: Mayor Paul Matheson is heading forthe American city of Eureka with the ring made by gold and silversmith Thorkild Hnasen, right.
COLIN SMITH/Nelson Mail