O is for Overview - Art's Nativity Again!

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.