And now for something [not so] completely different: Napoleon in Egypt

Immersing myself in the "historically fantastic" has led me to examine the purely historical possibilities. I am a firm believer in maximizing the efforts expended in establishing a sound knowledge base. . .

I am of course talking about "The Mummy". . . though a rendition of a 15th or 16th c. scion of the house of von Frankenstein is certainly not out of the question! ;-)



But I digress. . . While researching the historical basis for no less than three Mummy projects, I ran across a print executed ca. 1895 by Maurice Orange (1868-1916; Fr. military artist and Orientalist, student of Gérôme and Detaille) titled "Napoleon with the Savants Contemplates the Antiquities of Egypt". The work depicts Napoleon and entourage before an Egyptian temple contemplating a mummy in its coffin.

I do not recall ever seeing a vignette or diorama of this scene done in miniature, and the question is, "WHY?!" As to the historicity of the scene, the composition of M. Orange's work speaks for itself; but, there is good chance that this might have been a fanciful, albeit eminently plausible, "what if". And in this instance, that is good enough for me!

There are two 54mm castings of 'Napoleon in Egypt' commercially available; but more on this when the figure arrives. I first wanted to make sure that the critical "scenery" was acceptable and to this end I ordered Andrea's 54mm kit of "The Egyptian Mummy":

TITLE: "The Egyptian Mummy"
MANUFACTURER: Andrea Miniatures
ITEM #: SG-F40
SCALE: 54mm
MEDIUM: White Metal
# of PIECES: 11 + base (2)
SCULPTOR: F. Martínez
REFERENCES: NONE!

COMMENTS: I will begin this review by reiterating that this kit was not purchased for the ©-dodging, eponymous subject. In fact, the figure itself (comprised of 4 pcs.) is the weakest aspect of the kit--though I will be the first to admit that the face, while not a particularly good likeness, has been handled heavy-handedly in the boxart.

The remaining 9 pieces comprise the scenic/decorative elements of the presentation. All but the seemingly de rigeur cobra and the [empty] canopic chest (2 pcs.) will be used. The casting is excellent, and essentially unmarred despite the minimal packaging.

And then there were 6. . . The coffin is cast in four pieces: the 2 halves (excellent fit and finish), and the heqa scepter and flail as decorative sub-accessories. The final two pieces are the groundwork and the backdrop. Please note that the backdrop is bare stone: there is no engraving, etc. whatsoever to assist in reproducing the elaborate mural seen in the boxart. As the vignette will have an outdoor setting, this is of little concern.

NEXT: The General in miniature. . .