We have come across another unusual knight that we have no idea who made him. I am assuming the horse and the knight go together. The knight is design to hold a lance in right hand which has a ring. It reminds me of a Dulcop figure but I know it is not that as I have handle to many of those figures over the years.
You will also notice the figure is designed not to have a shield in left arm. I am thinking it might be Italian as I got him with some other Italian figures. I am really not sure and how to have an answer to share with you.
Other possibilities on Country of Origin: France or Germany…were there any markings on the horse’s underbelly? If Rose and/or Opie (or their contemporaries) are still active, they might be able to help, or “Collecting Foreign-Made Toy Soldiers”
may give a clue.
A note on the lack of a shield: the armor on the left shoulder was a thicker piece of steel designed to take the brunt of the blow from the lance. Albrecht Duerer (sorry, this keyboard doesn’t do “umlauts”) wrought some amazing depictions of the sport of
jousting and tournaments. The horses used in this fun sport were larger and heavier than the usual, everyday mounts. These beasties were bruisers, over half a ton in weight, plus all the padding and the weight of the knight on board. Once they got going,
they were hard to stop. The horse your knight is mounted on would be smaller, probably the type called, a Courser, bred for battle or everyday, and as agile as a polo pony. There was also a lighter horse, the palfrey, a non-combatant, “basic” saddle horse. The fourth type (for the wealthy knight) was the Battle Horse, built for carrying the knight’s spare armor, etc., and could be ridden by the knight’s squire. That was a “class” thing.
Speaking of classes…(how’s that for a segue?), I’ll be giving a demo on toy soldier painting (and selling photos) June 18th in here in Prescott, at the Firehouse Plaza, starting at 2PM. All are welcome.
Hi Whit.
I am sure it is European. Just not sure what country it is. I check the belly of the horse no markings at all. O have to contact my European friends to see if they know who made it.
Best of luck on your painting class