Two Cantinieres (1 Viewer)

[Scott]

Check out http://www.cantinieres.com/ Thomas Cardoza's book on the subject is full of inspirations for figures and dioramas.

 

[Napoleon1er]

Interesting. I think, to summarize, the K&C is painted to a higher standard, and has a very good pose/sculpt, though some details have been changed for better aesthetic. Did someone say conversion?

 

[Obee]

One of my forthcoming projects is to paint a selection of Cantinierie casting I have been collecting.

I have one by ANT Miniatures, one of the New Hope Design (Men At Arms) and 5 that I recently got from John Eden including some ROSE Miniatures.

I'll keep you posted of their progress.

John

 

[theBaron]

Don't forget the Seven Years War, and Rylit's fabulous Prussian Marketenderin:



Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Phew Brad! That took a bit of painting, hope your glasses stayed fog-free!

Another Cantiniere that I found out about quite recently, is this figure - in metal - from the French mould of Starlux. She is number 76 in an issue of 160 figures from Starlux-Atlas Edition figures, and titled "Cantiniere de l'Armee de l'Empereur". johnnybach

 

[theBaron]

Yep. As we say around here, "Yer gonna put someone's eyes out with those!"

The Starlux cantiniere is a nice figure, too. I have to thank you again, John, for your discovery and digging up the info on the series.

The subject of cantinieres, sutleresses and Marktenderinnen is a good one, such figures round out any camp life display (pun intended). I'd like to see more from periods other than the Napoleonic Wars, though; that period is saturated, as far as cantinieres go. More from the Seven Years War, for example, or more of their modern counterparts from the USO or Red Cross. I think there are some figures of USO staff serving coffee and doughnuts, but it's an area that has plenty of room for more.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Scott]

The era of Napoleon III has more documented instances of cantinieres getting into combat in Italy, Mexico, and North Africa plus serving in the Crimea and during the Franco-Prussian War ans Paris Commune. Their uniforms were nice plus there are numberous photos of these women. I've spotted cantineres in the details of unit photos.

The French army surpressed the practice of unit cantinieres after 1871 with the final cantinieres becoming more like cafe owners on military bases. Cardoza's book documents the subject well.

Perhaps if mid 1800s France and it's campaigns were better covered by the miniature companies we'd see more figures. I'm not sure that that era is of great interest to collectors.

 

[theBaron]

The era of Napoleon III has more documented instances of cantinieres getting into combat in Italy, Mexico, and North Africa plus serving in the Crimea and during the Franco-Prussian War ans Paris Commune. Their uniforms were nice plus there are numberous photos of these women. I've spotted cantineres in the details of unit photos.

The French army surpressed the practice of unit cantinieres after 1871 with the final cantinieres becoming more like cafe owners on military bases. Cardoza's book documents the subject well.

Perhaps if mid 1800s France and it's campaigns were better covered by the miniature companies we'd see more figures. I'm not sure that that era is of great interest to collectors.

True, but my point is that they didn't spring from the ground in 1800. We can go back even into the 17th century for the subject. Peipp has some figures from the Thirty Years War, for example, that would be good for a themed collection of cantinieres and sutlers. I'd like to see more from the 18th Century, though, it's easy enough to convert other figures for the purpose, too.

Scott, with your experience in plastic figures, do know of many examples among those manufacturers? I'm trying to think now, if any of the classic metal kit figure makers included them in their catalogs. I don't think Imrie-Risley did. Stadden/Tradition may have had one from the Napoleonic Wars, and Gammage might have, too.

Now I want to go hunting for them!

Prost!
Brad

 

[Scott]

Right you are Baron.

I have two Rose and a Standden Cantiniere plus a really campaign looking version of the red jacket vivandiere by Valiant. I have a 1500s Mercenery German Marketenderin but I don't remember the maker. Historex made a Napoleonic kit and Mokarex has one from the 1860s in plastic. Replicant made two versions of the 1850s-60s French Cantiniere.

The early vivandieres would be a good subject and there are a good number of illustrations from the 1500, 1600s and 1700s. Because of the corsetry and bodices worn at those times and shown in the illustrations, you don't get the twin missle effect. It's more like two loaves of bread rising in a pan. That doesn't mean they can't make figures with raised skirts and loose bodices. The early Vivs could also have more "gear" and baggage plus articles of men's clothing to make fun and fairly acccurate figures. I've seen some plastic ones make in Russia for the 1/72 scale war game armies.

The comments on my blog and here about these two figures show that the K &C figure is the favorite because of the pose and the "fun" of her wearing a soldier's shako. I agree.

 

[johnnybach]

Interesting subject area this.

I can remember quite vividly being on exercise in a giant field - somewhere in Northern Germany in the 1960's - helping our linemen stringing wire for telephone-teleprinter lines (they were short-handed - so we were all jacks-of-all trades in those days). One of the high-spots of our dusty and hot days - was the appearance of a dark green Naafi wagon with a pop-up side, usually around 1100 hours - driven by what can only be described as a modern Cantiniere. We always managed to migrate to a spot where we knew she would arrive at about mid-morning. You could hear the van coming and see the cloud of dust blowing. She would stop the vehicle ( a bit like a cross between a camper-van and an Ice-cream van) - pop up the side and honk the horn like mad. Inside she had an urn of tea - or instant brown-stuff that was supposed to be coffee - but tasted more like creosote! It looked a bit like this - but darker green and a bit glossier.(The van - not the brown-stuff!)

Scruffy soldiers would appear from everywhere - and get " a brew and a wad" (That's a cup of tea and a jam doughnut to anyone who doesn't know) - for just a couple of pennies. "Help yourself to sugar lads - but leave my spoon alone" was her cry (in vain though - we always nicked the spoon). I can also remember, that never mind how "homely" the Naafi girl was - she always got "chatted up" by somebody. Well, it's almost obligatory - isn't it? - and you can nick the spoon whilst she's being chatted up! Diversionary tactic - see!

Would love to see one of those in 54mm put on someone's catalogue - I'd buy a castings version - with a gang of Taffs - having a quick scoff - standing around with a mug in one hand - and rasberry jam spread all around their mouths. If you got it down your neck quick enough, you might even get seconds!

Ahhh! - sweet memories..............betcha Tabs will remember that.........jb

 

[Louis Badolato]

Interesting subject area this.

I can remember quite vividly being on exercise in a giant field - somewhere in Northern Germany in the 1960's - helping our linemen stringing wire for telephone-teleprinter lines (they were short-handed - so we were all jacks-of-all trades in those days). One of the high-spots of our dusty and hot days - was the appearance of a dark green Naafi wagon with a pop-up side, usually around 1100 hours - driven by what can only be described as a modern Cantiniere. We always managed to migrate to a spot where we knew she would arrive at about mid-morning. You could hear the van coming and see the cloud of dust blowing. She would stop the vehicle ( a bit like a cross between a camper-van and an Ice-cream van) - pop up the side and honk the horn like mad. Inside she had an urn of tea - or instant brown-stuff that was supposed to be coffee - but tasted more like creosote! It looked a bit like this - but darker green and a bit glossier.(The van - not the brown-stuff!)

Scruffy soldiers would appear from everywhere - and get " a brew and a wad" (That's a cup of tea and a jam doughnut to anyone who doesn't know) - for just a couple of pennies. "Help yourself to sugar lads - but leave my spoon alone" was her cry (in vain though - we always nicked the spoon). I can also remember, that never mind how "homely" the Naafi girl was - she always got "chatted up" by somebody. Well, it's almost obligatory - isn't it? - and you can nick the spoon whilst she's being chatted up! Diversionary tactic - see!

Would love to see one of those in 54mm put on someone's catalogue - I'd buy a castings version - with a gang of Taffs - having a quick scoff - standing around with a mug in one hand - and rasberry jam spread all around their mouths. If you got it down your neck quick enough, you might even get seconds!

Ahhh! - sweet memories..............betcha Tabs will remember that.........jb

About a year or two ago I bid on but lost an ebay auction for a CJB Models version of the Naafi mobile canteen you are describing, right down to it being dark green and glossy. I know Heco Tinplate models did a canteen, and might have done a mobile canteen as well. I would love to get my hands on one . . . every veteran I have ever spoken to on the subject speaks of Naafi and USO mobile canteens very fondly.:smile2:

 

[johnnybach]

Really? I didn't know someone had made one. I wonder if Brian at Yeomanary Miniatures might oblige. I'd even buy him a doughnut if he would! jb^&grin

 

[Scott]

In the late 1800s, early 1900 the French regimental Cantinieres had a government issue wagon and team so that they could accompany troops in the field. I have a number of postcards (jpgs.) that I copied from a postcard site of these wagons. They would be a nice subject for a miniature vehicle with the still colorful French army gathered to get a drink and a snack. Uniforms of the cantienieres at this time were pretty drab but the scene could be colorful if the female figure was cast and painted "pretty."