Accession Number

992.011.011

Alternate Name

miniature soldier; soldier figurine

Description

A miniature French military trooper carrying a musket with bent bayonet, his white trousers with red and blue stripes, his socks white and shoes black, his navy blue jacket over a white tunic with with gold buttons, his white cross-straps holding a brown-coloured backpack, his tall black hat with red detailing, wearing a mustache, the figure standing on a cast brown-coloured base.

Narrative

This soldier is part of a boxed group of fourteen volontaires assault (assault volunteers) soldiers of the Revolutionary or Napoleonic Periods.

The CBG Mignot Company of France began manufacturing miniature soldier figurines in 1785 and are still in operation. The bodies of the figurines are solid lead, while the muskets are tin. The human heads are cast separately and soldered to the body. The standard height of figurines in this set is 54 mm.

The miniature soldiers that comprise the group of fourteen include 11 Troopers, 1 Officer, 1 Standard Bearer, and 1 Drummer.

History of Use

The donor purchased this set of toy soldiers at F.A.O. Swartz Ltd., Fifth Ave., New York City.

Date

1900

Dimensions

5.6 x 2 cm

Material

Metal, lead; Metal, tin; Paint

Brand Name

Volonbaires assaut (Assault Troops Volunteer)

Serial Number

361/18

Technique

Cast; Painted

School/Style

Napoleonic Period or French Revolution