27 June 2015

Knight of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem (Bust)

June saw Pegaso's return to the Levant and the Crusades with two new offerings: a 200mm bust of a Knight of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem (OSLJ), and a 90mm Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. We will concern ourselves with the former.

This is an interesting release in that it includes three--count 'em, 3!--faces: a somewhat unattrac- tive bare face; a rather roughly-sculpted bearded face; and a skeletal face that some have con- cluded represents a zombie! I don't know what the manufacturer intended; but FWIW, I believe Pegaso intended to provide a progression of the disease associated with the Order. The final stage, however, transcends any semblance of reality, and it is easy to see how it is associated with "zeds": it could step-in quite nicely for a 1/9th scale version of [a bust of] a knight from Tombs of the Blind Dead!

Now, two points of reference re: the OSJL. Firstly, they followed first the Benedictine Rule, sub- sequently the Augustinian Rule, and as such would have worn black, not white. There are further arguments to support the use of black, as well as period iconographic evidence. That being said, there is some evidence, largely circumstantial AFAIC, to support the use of white. . .

Secondly, the design of the crosses is extremely stylized! Technically, they do indeed represent a cross pattée, but then again so does a "surfer's cross"--which is what these remind me of! The first order of business will be the removal of the appliquéd crosses, and replacing them with an ordinary cross.

And now for the wait. The bust is on order, and will hopefully be in my hands within the fortnight, give or take. More to follow. . .

When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

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