So, we've looked at the small scale, and
we've looked at the larger ones in a set, this is just the main set of figures,
from two sources in close-up. I seem to have shot two sets of comparison photo's,
the 'before glue was removed' shots on the white bedspread, the after glue was
removed shots on the black background.
Those sold separately, or in sets (without
being glued into a vignette) have card or cartridge-paper seals on their hollowed
bases, which presumably help them stand on uneven surfaces like the pillow case
'snow' my Mother always placed round the tree, a tradition I've carried-on!
The cards are coded and have a clear Art Plastics logo-mark, it seems the Kings'
codes can be interpreted as White King, Coloured King and Kingly King - he
can't be King of Kings, 'cos that one's in the manger! The inset close-up is
COw!
Speaking of the cows; the glued-in set had a
paler wash than the separates, and I found the easiest way to get the glue off (an
old brown contact-adhesive of the Evostick
type) was sit them in hot water for a few minutes which softened-it off enough
to peel away, without, it was more flaky, but firmly attached.
The other animals, having said I don't
think these are Fontanini copies (one
is, see below), I'm pretty sure they are copies of someone else's (European)
sculpts, the sheep are very familiar, as is the 'mirror' image sculpting of the
pair, but I haven't ID's the donor yet? Or if I have - they are lost on the
Blog somewhere!
The Holy family, and a King, showing the difference
in the brown wash (actually a semi-transparent airbrushed coat), The left shot
taken before the grub was removed from the bases.
The Wise Men . . . or definitely Kings in
this case! A major colour-scheme difference in the kneeling monarch, gives a collecting
aim, and hope for wider variations still to be found in the other two? As we can
also see with the red Arabian headgear chap; some variation in the existing
scheme too.
This shepherd-boy IS from a Fontanini sculpt! In fact we will be
looking at his donor in a few days time if everything pans-out, and it doesn't
always! He's quite a common figure in various forms, and I think it's down to
the rather unique was he's carrying he lamb, it appeals visually, so was much
copied.
The vignette's figures were also very
dusty, the bases were much darker than the loose set, after cleaning!
I'd shot the loose sample at least twice in
the more distant past and these are those shots! stuff does just pile up in Picasa,
and one of the things I've tried to get done this year is a better system, or
more ordered way of storing them all so I can find older images or supporting
stuff!
The angel; it (they are sexless I believe .
. . when they aren't impregnating virgins for their boss!) has a hollow back
and you can see where it was glued on the wings and the back of the head.
An Art
Plastics variation next time, after more of Chris's donation.
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