Indy-4-Ante-Chamber

This piece was reproduced rather poorly in the big Indiana Jones making of book recently, though I was very happy to see it in there. The original idea was that rooms such as this, buried deep within the great temple, were lit by networks of long, narrow, gold-leaf lined tunnels that reflected light through a complicated series of angles until it reached it's various destinations, illuminating them with a rich, golden hue. Somehow this concept didn't carry over into the film, but you can see it here. This is the chamber before the great throne room. You can see the trick serpent-door to the left, and the room is chock full of various riches and religious idolatry from high cultures all over the Earth. I did this piece quite large, and the little Indy in the upper left hand corner was quite detailed. The mummified corpses scattered throughout the room represent Conquistadors and treasure seekers who had made it this far only to die, unable to open the great door to the great throne room. Of course, they needed a Crystal Skull, and the inimitable instincts of one Indiana Jones to do it.
Stinking Conquistadors. Always sticking their noses where they don't belong.