Alien Mothership Production Maquette made by Greg Jein for Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Columbia Pictures, 1977).

Vintage original small-scale design maquette constructed of many small, plastic spires and greeblies emanating from a central circular hub mounted in the semi-hemispherical belly of the craft, all finished in ominous black. The Mothership was conceived by writer/director Steven Spielberg, and the filming miniature was built under the direction of chief model maker Greg Jein. This developmental design maquette was shown to Spielberg and other studio brass for feedback and refinement before arriving to the final design that was built for the film. One can see that this design is not a far departure from the majestically eye-popping spectacle that graced the screen in the iconic finale of Close Encounters. This is the larger of two Mothership study models created by Greg during the production. The ship itself measures 5" x 4.5" x 4.5", mounted on a metal dowel with 3 in. Circular base. Overall stands approx. 9" High. Exhibiting minor age and production wear Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions. From the Collection of Greg Jein.