Reviewed in MILITARY MODELLING, May 1995
I thought the first two Indian busts from this maker were good, but this third one is even better.
The subject is Four Bears of the Mandan tribe: "One of the most extraordinary Indians that I have known. Free, generous, elegant and gentlemanly in his deportment. Handsome, brave and valiant". So said George Catlin, the famous chronicler and recorder of Indian life in the 19th century.
As depicted in this resin kit, Four Bears is wearing a buckskin shirt richly embroidered with porcupine quills, as seen in one of Karl Bodmer's paintings. On his head, embedded in coloured clay are the six wooden sticks that symbolise his six musket wounds. On the side of his head, a red, wooden knife commemorates his victory over a Cheyenne chief. On the back, a vermilion-dyed horse's mane falls down over his owl feather head-dress. In the kit, the additional details just described are provided as separate, very fine resin mouldings. Two sets of four wooden sticks are provided, usefully providing two spares against loss or breakage. The two large owl's feathers are particularly fine.
The sculpture of the main moulding is really excellent, with particular reference to the modelling of surface textures, fringing, hair detail, head, neck and shoulder ornaments. The face is a real treat, the features clearly those of a noble man, the fine bone structure and proud mien evidence of this fact. In short, another worthy success from this relatively new maker.
The kit includes a wooden base and a printed wooden label; the later I think, is a rather nice touch that suits the subject. Colour information is provided in the way of three colour pictures that form the box art. Definitively recommended.
G.D.
© reproduced with permission