The PBS program Antiques Roadshow, about a group of traveling experts who offer free appraisals on the value of a variety of objects, recently featured a prototype of the Ark of the Covenant prop which was eventually featured as the central goal of treasure hunting adventure, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Despite never featuring in the actual movie, the prop was estimated to be worth at least $80,000 to $120,000 at an auction.
The appraisal of the Ark prototype was done by James Supp, whose expertise is in a wide range of collectibles. Notably, Supp stated that the prop might even surpass his estimate, potentially going for $250,000 at auction.
The man who brought the Ark in for appraisal owned it due to his father, who did pyrotechnical work for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Rather than containing the Ten Commandments though, the family was apparently using it for blanket storage. During the production of Raiders, however, this prototype of the Ark was used for modeling how pyrotechnics would be used inside the final movie version. These effects would be used when the Ark of the Covenant is open, a scene that utilizes a considerable amount of lights and smoke.
The actual Ark of the Covenant prop used during the filming of Raiders of the Lost Ark is stored at Skywalker Ranch, a movie ranch owned by Indiana Jones and Star Wars creator, George Lucas. Since the final version isn't up for sale, the value of the prop comes from the fact that, as Supp states, this prototype is the closest to the real thing that anyone is able to purchase.
Despite its hefty price tag, the actual construction of the Ark is fairly cheap. The ornamental sides of the ark are made from picture frames, and the supposedly decorative designs covering it are actually solidified hot glue, covered over in gold spray paint. The two cherubim angels reaching their wings out for one another are actually parts of trophies glued to the top of the box.
Currently, a fifth movie in the Indiana Jones franchise is scheduled to be released on July 9th of 2021. Other than that George Lucas and Harrison Ford will both be returning to the series, relatively little is known about the project.