Brass Figurine with Musket--Where from?

kahnjar1 · 27th July 2015, 02:23 AM

This little guy needs to know where he came from as he has lost his memory. Perhaps someone can please identify his homeland from the clothes he is wearing? He is holding a musket of some sort with the barrel broken off. He has a very bushy moustache and long hair.
Height is approx. 9" cast in brass.
Stu

Ian · 29th July 2015, 06:01 AM

Stu:

The kilt-like garment looks like the traditional fustanella that was worn by the celebrated Greek klephts in the War of Independence (1821-1829). Later in the 19th C. this same garb was adopted by elite Greek light infantry forces known as the Evzones, and the dress has been preserved by that group who now make up the Presidential Guard and the ceremonial guard for the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Attached below is a picture of Evzones taken in the late 19th C. I think your statue depicts one of the klephts from the earlier War of Independence. The bushy moustache was a common Greek male feature of that period.

Ian.

kahnjar1 · 29th July 2015, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Stu:

The kilt-like garment looks like the traditional fustanella that was worn by the celebrated Greek klephts in the War of Independence (1821-1829). Later in the 19th C. this same garb was adopted by elite Greek light infantry forces known as the Evzones, and the dress has been preserved by that group who now make up the Presidential Guard and the ceremonial guard for the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Attached below is a picture of Evzones taken in the late 19th C. I think your statue depicts one of the klephts from the earlier War of Independence. The bushy moustache was a common Greek male feature of that period.

Ian.

Thanks Ian, I did wonder about Greece but the quilted appearance of the "skirt" threw me off somewhat. The head dress certainly looks right though.
Stu

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 29th July 2015, 01:25 PM

Not unlike the stance at Minuteman Hill and the head dress, socks and shoes are similar

...see http://06880danwoog.com/tag/battle-of-compo-hill/

However, the base of the statue or plinth is similar to Indian style oil lamps in construction... I look to Indian style brass statues for a possible link...The tunic even looks similar to the Sri Lankan Mudalyer style?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ian · 29th July 2015, 04:47 PM

Ibrahim:

Thank you for the alternate suggestions of this little statue's origins.

Just a little more on the fustanella. There is a surprisingly good article on wikipedia (here) about the history of the fustanella in Greece and neighboring areas of the Balkans. Looking at the head covering and face of this little guy, and his wonderful moustache, I think he looks Greek or Albanian rather than from the Indian subcontinent.

Ian.

Ian · 29th July 2015, 07:34 PM

Some military pictures from around the time of the Greek War of Independence.

The first one is taken from a painting, Warrior ("Pallikari") of Sellaida (Souli), Greece, by Dupré Louis (1820).

The second is an Hellenic Army General in full dress uniform (1835).

The third is titled, A Greek and an Arnaut wearing the Fustanella costume, Russia, 1862.

Ian.

27th July 2015, 02:23 AM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	Brass Figurine with Musket--Where from? This little guy needs to know where he came from as he has lost his memory. Perhaps someone can please identify his homeland from the clothes he is wearing? He is holding a musket of some sort with the barrel broken off. He has a very bushy moustache and long hair. Height is approx. 9" cast in brass. Stu Attached Images

29th July 2015, 06:01 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,362	Stu: The kilt-like garment looks like the traditional fustanella that was worn by the celebrated Greek klephts in the War of Independence (1821-1829). Later in the 19th C. this same garb was adopted by elite Greek light infantry forces known as the Evzones, and the dress has been preserved by that group who now make up the Presidential Guard and the ceremonial guard for the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Attached below is a picture of Evzones taken in the late 19th C. I think your statue depicts one of the klephts from the earlier War of Independence. The bushy moustache was a common Greek male feature of that period. Ian. Attached Images

29th July 2015, 07:34 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,362	Some military pictures from around the time of the Greek War of Independence. The first one is taken from a painting, Warrior ("Pallikari") of Sellaida (Souli), Greece, by Dupré Louis (1820). The second is an Hellenic Army General in full dress uniform (1835). The third is titled, A Greek and an Arnaut wearing the Fustanella costume, Russia, 1862. Ian. Attached Images

29th July 2015, 01:25 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Not unlike the stance at Minuteman Hill and the head dress, socks and shoes are similar ...see http://06880danwoog.com/tag/battle-of-compo-hill/ However, the base of the statue or plinth is similar to Indian style oil lamps in construction... I look to Indian style brass statues for a possible link...The tunic even looks similar to the Sri Lankan Mudalyer style? Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

29th July 2015, 04:47 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,362	Ibrahim: Thank you for the alternate suggestions of this little statue's origins. Just a little more on the fustanella. There is a surprisingly good article on wikipedia (here) about the history of the fustanella in Greece and neighboring areas of the Balkans. Looking at the head covering and face of this little guy, and his wonderful moustache, I think he looks Greek or Albanian rather than from the Indian subcontinent. Ian.