Cecil B. DeMille's personally-owned pair of red granite tablets inscribed in early Canaanite script replicating the Ten Commandments as written by 'the finger of God,' each tablet measuring 4˝ x 7.25˝ x 1.25˝, mounted side-by-side in a later custom-made tabernacle frame designed by Federico Castelluccio. The frame measures 17.75˝ x 17.5˝ x 2.75˝, and is inscribed with Exodus 31:18 in ancient Hebrew and English: "Written with the Finger of God." In overall fine condition, with some wear to the frame.
Owing to DeMille's fanatical attention to detail, these tablets, like those used in his 1956 epic religious drama, were hewn from the rare red granite brought from Mt. Sinai near the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea, from the hallowed ground where Moses stood when God revealed himself in the burning bush and where the Ten Commandments were written with the finger of God. DeMille consulted with scholars of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, and Dr. Ralph Marcus wrote for him a version of the Ten Commandments in early Canaanite lettering. This manner of writing was practiced in the late Bronze Age, (circa 13th Century, B.C.), which is the era of Moses, as used in the film. These miniature tablets were presented to director Cecil B. DeMille and displayed in his office.
The tablets read (translated): "The Ten Commandments. / I am Yhwh thy God. There shall not be to thee other Gods. / Thou shalt not make for thyself a graven image. / Thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain. / Remember the Sabbath Day to sanctify it. / Honor thy father and thy mother. / Thou shalt not murder. / Thou shalt not commit adultery. / Thou shalt not steal. / Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy fellow. / Thou shalt not covet the household of thy fellow."
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Charlton Heston as Moses, The Ten Commandments earned wide acclaim for its lush, detailed set designs, lavish art direction, and robust special effects—in addition to winning the Oscar for 'Best Effects, Special Effects,' it was nominated for 'Best Cinematography, Color,' 'Best Art Direction - Set Decoration, Color,' and 'Best Costume Design, Color.'
Provenance: The Estate of Cecil B. DeMille, Christie's East, October 18, 1988, with lot label intact on the bottom of the leftmost tablet.
