F is for Faber Figures' Foppish Foreign Forpersons in Formal Finery!

Another set of esoteric, early British composition and again it's thanks to Adrian Little (Mercator Trading) who let me photograph them.

These are a little later than the other sets we've been looking at though, I think, and were issued by R. Briton Rivier, as Faber, alongside the slightly later-starting Matchlock range of military subjects, Faber being technically civilian, also contained court subjects such as the regal pair in this box, probably sold through heritage sites and museum gift shops, along with Hamley's, Harrods (?) and the toy soldier dealers of the West End.

The box opens in the style of CGB Minot's display boxes - but without the decorative background lining-papers - to reveal the royal couple in all their (plaster rather than pumice I believe) finery. The Orange King looks a bit pale and rather surprised to be King of England (as well he might!), but she's looking very Queenish, if not; actually haughty!

From behind; the painting is 'Toy Soldier' style and they have a deep gloss varnish finish, for toughness/protection as much as for pure decoration, and I think William the III has a card or matchwood disc under his plaster-base to prevent it braking or chipping.