Mystery set - church procession and choir (1 Viewer)

[theBaron]

Hi, all,

I'd like to present this puzzle to you, two sets of figures that are currently up on eBay. They depict a Catholic procession, for want of a better term, and a choir. The figures are solid-cast.















I have 21 photos in all, so the next batch will follow...

 

[theBaron]

Here is the next batch of photos...











and next, the choir...





and the last photos in the next post...

 

[theBaron]

I discussed the set in a couple of messages with the seller, who is himself a collector--and maybe a member here? He confirmed that there are no markings on any of these figures, that they are all solid cast, and we agreed that they may very well be the work of a talented hobbyist.

The flags are solid, and include the American flag, as well as St. Patrick's saltire. The banners have images from holy cards or some other source pasted to them, including St. Patrick's image. Both of those details make me say that these depict a Catholic process; I'm not sure, and someone may correct me, but I don't think he's venerated as a saint by any other Christian church.

The choir's books also have printed sheets of music pasted to them.

The painting is simple, in a classic toy soldier style, and the sets have a charm to them. I considered bidding on them, and the opening bid is not unreasonable ($59.99 each), but it's not in my budget plan right now to drop that on some more figures.

Anyway, I thought I'd ask if anyone has ever seen these before, and can identify them.

Let's see how we do!

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

No replies, eh? An update, both sets sold by now. The procession went for $94.51, and the choir for $82.33, which are pretty good prices, given the number of figures.

I still haven't found anything remotely like them, and I still think that they are one-offs made by a hobbyist.

Prost!
Brad

 

[tdubel]

Brad,
I actually think these are sets made for the Magazine Armchair General back in 80s? Reason I say that is the faces look a lot like the Mess Dress and Officer Xmas, Dancing, Feast sets they made. This would fit in with their releases. The bases match too. Later on Sarum and Caven(forget the Scottish maker) would also do Mess Dress sets.

Tom

 

[theBaron]

Hi, Tom, thanks! Do you mean the mail-order seller and auctioneer? They were located in St. Louis, I think. I joined their mailing list and started getting their catalogs in the early 90s, maybe around '91 or '92, and up till they closed down. That's interesting, if these figures were something they commissioned for their own sale.

Some of those officers' mess and Christmas sets were made by Mike Ferguson, too, if I remember correctly, under his Soldiers Unlimited brand. I'll have to run these by some of the older members of the MFCA and see if they recognize them.

Prost!
Brad

 

[nmrocks]

Hi, all,

I'd like to present this puzzle to you, two sets of figures that are currently up on eBay. They depict a Catholic procession, for want of a better term, and a choir. The figures are solid-cast.















I have 21 photos in all, so the next batch will follow...

Not that I'm any kind of expert but the banners look more like Russian Orthadox than catholic?
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

I don't know the answer - BUT...............

The iconic style banners are of Saints David (Wales)
Saint Andrew (Scotland)
Saint George (England)
Saint Patrick (Ireland)

Then there's also one for the Archangel Michael - who may be intended as the Chief figure???

Then there are the flag banners.

Again we see St. George's Cross ( White Field with red cross) = England
St Andrew's Cross (Blue Field with red Saltire Cross) = Scotland
St. David's Cross ( Black field with Gold cross) = Wales

A Flag I don't recognise which is basically a St. George's Cross with top corner blue with an odd cross on it?????

Also - Stars and Stripes of the USA.

Leads me to think that there is some sort of significance to the UK intended - but I'm unsure of the meaning intended for the strange flag/banner and the flag of the USA.

Might indeed be painted by someone who is uncertain of the Irish Flag???? - and the Icons might mean the maker is possibly from one of the old Soviet States?????

Lots of guessing going on here by me - but hope that helps a bit???? jb

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

Johnny the flag you couldn't ID appears to be an American Christian Flag. As too the ID of the set I have no clue but it is a really interesting set that would be fun to display for Easter or Christmas. Thanks for sharing Brad.

Dave