Friday 31 October 2025

Lot 234

A cast brass model of a mounted soldier : a musket man on his camel, Vizagapatam, South-East...

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Lot 234

A cast brass model of a mounted soldier : a musket man on his camel, 
Vizagapatam, South-East...

Price Realised: £11,152

Estimate: £3,000 - £5,000

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Price realised is hammer price plus fees (31.2% Buyers Premium inclusive of VAT).

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Lot 234

Description

A cast brass model of a mounted soldier : a musket man on his camel, 
Vizagapatam, South-East India, circa 1795, 

on a capering camel on a rectangular platform, his feet tucked into stirrups, the rein looping into the camel's nostril, carrying an oversize matchlock rifle, on his back the a shield, a sword, a bow and a quiver full of arrows fastened to his saddlecloth, hanging from his belt is a powder horn and a leather bag, the animal's tail and the man's turban in the wind, 

17.7 x 9.3 x 4.4cm.

Examples from this group can be seen in the collections of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford: the Victoria and Albert Museum London: the National Army Museum, London: the Madras Museum and Her Majesty the Queen at Sandringham House.

Unlike Western examples, these toy soldiers are not manufactured by piece-moulding, but are individually cast by the cire perdue (lost wax) process, thus having a greater variety of detail and expression.  With their large hands, squat bodies, enormous weapons and upright bearing, they “graphically illustrate the whole gamut of military swagger in man and beast”.

A similar matchlock-man on a camel in Ashmolean Museum is illustrated in J. C. Harle and Andrew Topsfield, Indian Art in the Ashmolean Museum, 1986, pp. 65.

Literature :
Simon Digby and J. C. Harle, Toy Soldiers and Ceremonial in Post-Mughal India, 1982.
James C. Harle and Andrew Topsfield, Indian Art in the Ashmolean Museum, 1986, pp. 66-67.

 

Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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