Review: 43276 Snow White's Jewellery Box
Posted by SetToBuild,
No one wants to be the “Well, actually…” guy, but sometimes we can’t help ourselves! I was surprised to hear that this set was called Snow White’s Jewellery Box, as technically this is the Evil Queen’s Heart Box. This is the container that the Evil Queen gives to the Huntsman when she demands he kill Snow White. The box was to be used to return her heart to the queen as proof of his success.
Fortunately, this set is not quite so gruesome. It instead features some more pleasant hidden surprises within. As a big fan of Mighty Max, or perhaps Polly Pocket in this case, I’m a sucker for little scenes hidden away within a larger object. This multi-layered feature is a playful way to add value to an otherwise simple object. But can this cute set get past its ominous origins?
Summary
43276 Snow White's Jewellery Box, 358 pieces.
£39.99 / $44.99 / €44.99 | 11.2p/12.6c/12.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Mirror mirror on the 1x6x5 panel wall, what is the fairest LEGO jewellery box of all?
- Hidden play features
- Iconic life-size object
- No woodland creatures
- Bracelet design is mediocre
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Mini-dolls
This Snow White mini-doll is unique to this set but is very similar to the one last seen in 43205 Ultimate Adventure Castle. The face has been altered on this figure. The printing on her clothes seems slightly different compared to the 2022 version, but that might just be my eyes playing tricks! The hair piece is the same as the minifigure versions featured in 43242 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' Cottage and 43222 Disney Castle.
Like the front, her back features the same light sparkle printing. There is no printing on the back of the legs. I’m curious as to why both the mini-dolls and the minifigure versions of Snow White feature any sparkle printing even though the dress in the original film is plain. Don’t they know that giving a garment the Bedazzler treatment doesn’t necessarily make it better?
The Evil Queen is seen here as a mini-doll for the first time. The character was last seen as a minifigure in the Disney 100 Collectible Minifigures. The mini-doll mostly keeps the same black and purple colour motif, but here her sleeves are black instead of purple. The use of a black head suits the character’s close-fitting head covering, and, notably, the face printing has achieved very good opacity on the dark background. Unfortunately, her crisply-edged widow’s peak is hidden by the crown.
The minifigure version’s crown features black printing on the top of the piece to represent the top of the queen’s head, but this crown is completely pearl gold, so looks a bit strange. Also, the choice to omit the cloak and collar from the figure sadly diminishes her grandeur.
The Completed Model
There were some creative liberties taken while designing the box itself. Visually, the jewellery box has a few differences compared to the Heart Box’s original design; for example, the altered proportions make the set appear taller than the original. The jewellery box comprises various large panel elements, which both simplify the building process and provide surfaces for both prints (the decoration on the front of the box) and one large sticker inside.
Additionally, the set’s lid exhibits an ornate design where one end of the chain attaches. I believe the lid in the film isn’t as decorated, but it’s not a bad thing for the set. Between the ornate lid and the prominent use of red and coral, the set has a more eye-catching presentation.
The way the sword pierces the heart is clever and accurately mimics the source material, but it doesn’t actually physically lock the box, or even really restrict its opening. The sword itself is nice and sturdy, so slotting it into place feels satisfying. The box opens up in three different ways: the first is by opening the lid on the top revealing a magenta DOTS bracelet, and the second by removing the entire top of the build just above the heart to uncover the hidden rooms within the box.
The set contains two 8x8 vignettes cleverly concealed behind the handles of the jewellery box. Each scene can slide out with a light pull on the sides of the box, which is the third method of opening. The left scene slides out to reveal a room in the Queen’s Castle with the Magic Mirror and a table holding a candle and the Queen’s staff. The right side contains a scene from the Dwarfs' Cottage showing a fireplace and candlestick within. Both rooms are basic in their design but are easily identifiable.
The rooms attach using the clip-to-click-hinge method so that attaching and detaching them doesn’t take much effort and they won’t easily slide out if the box is tilted. I’m still in awe of this technique ever since I discovered it by accident many years ago.
Many builders prefer a print to a sticker, more so here since circular stickers are a right pain to apply perfectly in the centre of a panel. While prints are always nice, I have grown to appreciate the versatility with which stickers can be utilised. The Magic Mirror illustration is fantastic and since it is a die-cut sticker, it could be used in an Evil Queen’s Castle MOC. The use of the mini-doll head on the sticker is brilliant. This could have easily been a drawing of the mask as it appears in the film, so I was delighted to see a mini-doll head depicted instead. The flames on the mirror are reminiscent of the large flame element adding a bit more LEGO-fication.
With the set being called a jewellery box, the DOTS bracelet seems like an afterthought. Personally, magenta isn’t a colour that comes to mind when I think of Snow White or the Evil Queen. While it would have been a tight fit to have two bracelets in the box, having one black or purple and one red, blue or yellow, maybe with some printed elements depicting things like flames or a crown for the Evil Queen, and birds or an apple for Snow White would have tied into the subject matter a lot better.
Other than a flame, a gem, and a 2L bar, the extra parts are your standard 1x1s and Technic pin.
Conclusion
Having life-sized objects from films imagined in LEGO is always a welcome treat. Even though the design of the box isn’t perfectly proportioned to that on screen, as an object it’s a decent set. The hidden rooms are a nice bonus and allow for more play opportunities.
The price would be easier to stomach if it came with a better bracelet or an improved Evil Queen mini-doll. At £40, I suspect that many may not feel its value as a children’s jewellery box for ages 6+, but older fans of the movie will certainly be attracted to the idea of a LEGO representation of this iconic object. Morbid purpose of the Heart Box aside, I can see a kid having fun with the set as a display piece and as a playset. Just don’t tell them about the pig’s heart.
72 likes
27 comments on this article
I've gotten to the point where, other than one or two standouts like 43215 and 43240, these Disney minidoll sets just no longer interest me.
mehh..
@AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"I've gotten to the point where, other than one or two standouts like 43215 and 43240 , these Disney minidoll sets just no longer interest me."
If only the latter WAS Maleficent's castle, even if small, instead of some boring generic cutesy structure.
"Mirror mirror on the 1x6x5 panel wall, what is the fairest LEGO jewellery box of all?" I love seeing stuff like that in reviews. As to the set itself, no real desire to get it, but it is always nice to see a character who's only been available as a minifig get the minidoll treatment, or vice versa.
It would have been good to include a 1x2 plate with a 1x2 printed tile on top to represent the box at minidoll size.
@TheOtherMike said:
"get the minidoll treatment"
Ok, I'll tell you what you want to know....
But please....
Not the minidoll treatment....
Anything but that...
Nice review! When I saw this set I failed to make the connection that it was based on an actual "prop" from the movie (albeit a more morbid one). That's really clever and puts this a cut above a generic Disney Princess-branded accessory.
@sjr60 said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"get the minidoll treatment"
Ok, I'll tell you what you want to know....
But please....
Not the minidoll treatment....
Anything but that..."
Oh? So you'd prefer the Scala treatment instead?
Very neat. Not for me, but still a nice, detailed build.
“But to make doubly sure you do not fail, bring back her heart in this.”
Interesting...
My memory may be off, but what I remember from the Disney film is that the woodsman was supposed to cut out Snow White's heart and put it in the box to present to the Queen as proof that she was killed.
Or was that not what happened...?
Mighty Max, gosh that's a blast from the past!
@SetToBuild:
It’s key to remember that this isn’t a licensed product based on Snow White, the classic animated feature film, but instead is based on Snow White, member of the Disney Princesses marketing franchise. Each of the Disney Princesses has received at least one redesign, with a few switching outfits (Merida has a few options to pick from). Most only have one signature outfit, though, so they tend to glamorize them to keep them on the same level (specifically, they’re probably trying to compete with the sparkly Elsa dresses from the Frozen franchise). There was even a huge controversy when they gave Merida a look that included a more glamorous and well-behaved hairstyle. So, regarding the seemingly odd changes to Snow White’s dress, they might seem more accurate if you take a peek at what they’re trying to match:
https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Snow_White?file=Snow_White_fairest_2.png
I like the set and both mini-dolls are pretty sharp. And I love the Magic Mirror sticker! The two rooms are pretty ingeniously incorporated and offer some playability. Having said that it IS a bit lackluster.
No question the bracelet could have been adorned with pieces that had tampo printing of jewels or the dwarves faces perhaps. And the lack of ANY woodland animals is a bit egregious. Much like Sleeping Beauty, Snow White has always been associated with animals. I'll get this one but I'll wait for it to be on sale.
This set made me extremely happy! It was a day one purchase for me. I've always wanted this box on a shelf. Getting one made out of Lego was just perfection. It pairs really well with the poison apple in the Icons Villains set.
I wasn't so irked that the queen's crown wasn't decorated as the minifig included two of them, so I had a spare to donate to her. I think I'm going to redo the vignettes inside anyhow though using the minifig versions of the Queen and her hag transformation in a laboratory in the place of the cottage scene.
@TheOtherMike said:
""Mirror mirror on the 1x6x5 panel wall, what is the fairest LEGO jewellery box of all?" I love seeing stuff like that in reviews."
I'm very glad the silliness is appreciated! It's fun for me to write with some humour. :)
@CCC said:
"It would have been good to include a 1x2 plate with a 1x2 printed tile on top to represent the box at minidoll size."
Ahh! That would have been a nice addition!
@Lyichir said:
"That's really clever and puts this a cut above a generic Disney Princess-branded accessory."
Oh definitely! I hope we see more prop sets like this!
@Rimefang said:
"My memory may be off, but what I remember from the Disney film is that the woodsman was supposed to cut out Snow White's heart and put it in the box to present to the Queen as proof that she was killed.
Or was that not what happened...?"
Your memory does not deceive you! :)
Spoiler alert: Snow White keeps her heart.
@PurpleDave said:
" @SetToBuild:
It’s key to remember that this isn’t a licensed product based on Snow White, the classic animated feature film, but instead is based on Snow White, member of the Disney Princesses marketing franchise."
Thanks for the in-depth explanation! I didn't realise there was a another version of Snow White that the mini-doll was referencing. Good to know!
To be honest, I saw the sparkly dress and just had to mention the odd glory that is the Bedazzler. Some deep cuts for us old timers :)
@SetToBuild:
The line started in 2000, and that overhaul came in 2012. In 2021, they reverted to their classic looks, but I’m not sure if that was a short-term thing, like the temporary inclusion of the Frozen sisters (Frozen being such a marketing juggernaut that they didn’t want to dilute it by bundling them in with the other characters). Even if it was an ongoing change, LEGO designers have a long history now of sampling different eras for licensed characters.
This should have been a propper playset.
I have to give them props for basing it on the box in the film. But I can't help but think that it's a missed opportunity that there's no heart jewel piece or even one of those 1x1 heart pieces inside to complete the reference. Probably too morbid, but then again the front of the box isn't subtle about its inteded use either.
I like that the little scenes can be taken out too. But when they are, how does the rest of the box look? Wouldn't it just be a front and back wall (which would be unstable)?
@Binnekamp said:
"I like that the little scenes can be taken out too. But when they are, how does the rest of the box look? Wouldn't it just be a front and back wall (which would be unstable)?"
Yeah, the box looks a bit strange without the handles on either side.
I just got the new LEGO catalogue for the second half of 2024 today and while perusing it I immediately exclaimed loudly: "This ain't Snow White's jewellery box, this belongs to the evil Queen!".
For the price they really could have included the fabric elements for the evil queen (and snow white deserves a collar, too) and the printed version of her crown, it's such mindless penny pinching that really brings down the value of the set.
@TheRichrocker said:
"I just got the new LEGO catalogue for the second half of 2024 today and while perusing it I immediately exclaimed loudly: "This ain't Snow White's jewellery box, this belongs to the evil Queen!"."
Ha! I'm glad I wasn't the only one