Studio Ghibli Cel Appraisal

Kiki's Delivery Service Original Cel with Background

This item is an original production cel from the animated film 'Kiki's Delivery Service,' directed by Hayao Miyazaki and released in 1989. The cel measures approximately 235mm x 354mm (9.3" x 13.9") and depicts the main character, Kiki, in her iconic witch attire (black dress, red bow) flying through a dark sky on her broomstick, accompanied by her orange cat, Jiji, sitting in the broom's basket. The background, which features a dark blue sky, is noted as 'not original,' implying it is a reproduction or a separate overlay rather than the hand-painted production background from the film. The cel itself appears to be in good condition, mounted within a white matte and a textured, light brown wooden frame, all presented within a printed catalog or book page. The artwork exhibits the vibrant, flat colors characteristic of traditional cel animation. There are no visible signs of significant wear, fading, or damage on the cel itself. The framing appears well-maintained, suggesting the item has been stored and displayed carefully. The craftsmanship of the cel artwork is indicative of professional studio production, with clean lines and precise color application. This piece represents a significant artifact from a beloved animated film, specifically capturing an early scene from the movie, noted as 'an opening cut of the film'.