Film and theatre props
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Historical props are at the heart of authentic film and theatre productions – whether it’s a drinking horn in a Viking scene, a wrought-iron candlestick on the table of a medieval tavern, or a chainmail shirt on the set of a period film: the materials used determine what the camera or the audience actually perceives.
What are props? Definition, distinction and technical terms
The term ‘prop’ derives from the Latin requisitum – ‘that which is needed’ or ‘that which is required’. In the context of film and theatre, it refers to all objects used on stage or on set to complete a scene – without themselves being costumes or set pieces.
The distinction is clear: anything an actor wears on their body falls under the category of costume. Fixed stage elements such as walls, floors or built-in furniture belong to the set design. Props fill the gap in between – everything that is movable, tangible and usable.
Within props, a distinction is made between two basic types: set props (also known as set pieces) are present on set or on stage but are not actively touched by the actor – they serve to create atmosphere and visual context. Hand props, on the other hand, end up directly in the actors’ hands: they are grasped, carried and used. This is precisely where the quality of the material becomes crucial, because whatever an actor holds must also feel authentic.
In theatre production, a further distinction is made between on-stage props – objects within the performance area – and off-stage props, i.e. elements kept off-stage and brought on as required. Typical examples include a sword on a knight’s belt, a drinking cup at a banquet, a candlestick in a medieval inn, or a scroll in the hands of a scholar.
What props are used in film and theatre? An overview by category
Swords, helmets, chainmail, shields and armour pieces are among the most sought-after historical props – for film productions as well as theatre performances and re-enactment groups. It is crucial that these items not only look convincing but also withstand the mechanical stresses on set. You can find film and fantasy swords as well as helmets for historical productions directly in our range.
Jugs, mugs, wooden cutlery and ceramic vessels are indispensable props for historical scenes – from medieval banquets to tavern sequences. Drinking horns and wooden jugs, medieval ceramics and medieval cutlery made from genuine materials create the authentic look that counts in front of the camera.
Candlesticks, lanterns and candles are among the classic props for medieval, ancient and Renaissance settings. Wrought-iron candlesticks or medieval lanterns create an atmosphere that no plastic imitation can replicate – the weight, the surface and the patina make all the difference.
Bags, pouches, coins, tools, scrolls and small accessories complete the picture of a scene and give performers something tangible to hold. Medieval bags and pouches, coins and other medieval accessories offer the right selection for different eras and scenarios.
Materials compared: What really works in front of the camera and under stage lights
Not every material behaves the same way in front of the camera or under stage lights. Plastics and synthetics reflect light differently from natural leather, forged iron or woven wool. The difference is immediately noticeable, especially when viewed up close by a camera – genuine materials have a texture, depth and patina that no plastic imitation can reproduce. This applies particularly to historical pieces. Our own brand, Vehi Mercatus, consistently uses natural fibres – wool, linen, cotton – and actively avoids synthetics, a conscious decision that pays off in front of the camera.
| Material | Areas of application | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather | Film Theatre | Durable, authentic feel, suitable for camera use, vibrant surface | Maintenance, weight |
| Wool | Theatre Re-enactment | Natural drape, historically accurate, good depth effect | Sensitive to moisture |
| Linen | Film LARP | Lightweight, breathable, natural colour, pleasant texture | Less durable than leather |
| Wood | Theatre Film | Versatile, durable, visible grain and depth | More difficult to standardise |
| Iron / Steel | Film Theatre | Authentic appearance, shimmers differently to plastic, durable | Weight, transport costs |
| Clay / Ceramics | Theatre Re-enactment | Historically authentic, affordable, matt finish suitable for filming | Fragile |
For camera shots – particularly close-ups – real materials react fundamentally differently to light than plastic imitations. Leather has a vibrant surface, iron shimmers differently from painted plastic, and wood displays grain and depth. These differences are visible on screen and determine the believability of a scene – even if the viewer does not consciously notice them.
Film and TV series props: Replicas vs. Screen-Used Originals
In the field of historical film and TV series productions, there are two fundamentally different procurement strategies. Anyone wondering whether collecting prop replicas is worthwhile will find an honest assessment here.
- Actually used on set
- High collector’s value, often with a certificate of authenticity
- Rare, difficult to obtain, expensive
- Usually unsuitable for active production use
- For collectors, with high sentimental and monetary value
- Designed for active use on set
- Robust enough for repeated use
- Authentic enough for camera and stage
- Suitable for camera use, durable, made from genuine materials
- Significantly more accessible and replaceable if lost
The three main criteria for props used in production are camera-readiness, durability and authenticity. Well-known categories of historical film props include swords and armour, everyday objects from a particular era, and weapons in the broader sense such as bows, axes and daggers. Collecting high-quality replicas is certainly worthwhile – not as a substitute for screen-used originals, but as a category in its own right: handcrafted, made from genuine materials, with a connection to history that is simply lacking in plastic items.
Props in theatre production: function, department and requirements
In theatre production, the props department is a separate specialist unit with clearly defined responsibilities. It is distinct from two other departments: the costume department is responsible for everything the actor wears. The set design department is responsible for the fixed architecture of the performance space. The props department handles everything in between – movable objects, hand-held items, atmospheric set pieces.
Why do real materials play a role on stage too, even though the audience sits further away than a camera? The answer lies in the performance itself: an actor holding a real wooden cup moves differently from one holding a plastic imitation. The weight, the feel, and the balance of an object influence body posture and thus the scene’s persuasiveness. Authentic materials therefore do not merely have a visual impact – they influence the entire performance.
Historical plays – medieval dramas, adaptations of ancient works, Renaissance plays – present additional requirements. Period-accurate objects set the tone without needing any explanation: a chainmail shirt on the set of a Viking drama, an ancient breastplate in a Roman production, or simple clay bowls on the table in an early medieval scene – these details tell the story before a single line is spoken.
Historical periods and their typical props
Antiquity & Rome
Clay jugs, amphorae, oil lamps, fibulae, wax tablets, ancient swords and replica shields. Typical materials: clay, bronze, leather, linen. Period-accurate details are crucial to the authenticity of an ancient-era production.
Early & High Middle Ages
Viking drinking horns, chain mail, leather straps, wooden cutlery, simple iron helmets, shields and animal skins. Wood, iron, leather and wool dominate as materials – no plastics, no synthetics.
Late Middle Ages & Renaissance
Plaque armour parts, wrought-iron candlesticks, pewter cups, scrolls, late medieval swords and textiles such as brocade and wool. The variety of materials from this era reflects the growing prosperity of the time.
Historical accuracy is not merely an aesthetic consideration for film and theatre productions – it is a statement. A single anachronistic detail can undermine the credibility of an entire scene. Leather, iron, wood, clay, wool and linen are the authentic materials of these eras – and it is precisely these materials that feature in our range of film and theatre props.
Props are no trivial matter – they determine whether a scene on stage or in front of the camera appears credible or not. Browse through our range and find the right items made from authentic materials for your production, play or project.
Frequently asked questions
In theatre, a prop refers to all movable objects used on stage – distinct from costumes (clothing worn by the performer) and set design (the fixed architecture of the performance space). In theatre operations, the props department is a separate specialist unit responsible for hand props (actively used by the actor) and set props (atmospheric decoration).
Depending on the play, a wide variety of props are used in theatre. In historical productions (Medieval, Ancient, Renaissance), these typically include weapons and pieces of armour, drinking vessels, candlesticks, movable furniture, everyday objects from the respective era, as well as clothing accessories such as hats or gloves. The props department is responsible for everything that is neither part of the costume nor the permanent stage set.
Props include all movable objects on stage or on set that are not directly attached to the performer’s body and do not form part of the permanent stage set. A sword on a belt is a prop, whereas the chainmail itself is part of the costume. A table is part of the set, whilst the drinking cup on it is a prop. In practice, the line is sometimes blurred, but responsibilities in productions are clearly defined.
Well-known categories of historical film props include swords and armour from medieval productions, helmets and chainmail from Viking or ancient-era films, as well as drinking vessels, lanterns and everyday objects from historical dramas. In the fantasy and adventure genres, staffs, amulets and elaborate weapon replicas are among the most sought-after prop categories. Screen-used originals from well-known productions sometimes fetch high prices at auctions.
Collecting high-quality prop replicas is certainly worthwhile as a category in its own right – not as a substitute for originals actually used on set, but for their craftsmanship. Replicas made from genuine materials such as leather, iron, wood or wool possess a quality that plastic imitations cannot match. Those who collect historical objects appreciate the connection to the era depicted – and high-quality replicas offer precisely that.