What was the Delhi Durbar 1903? (2 Viewers)

[Ana Donzino]

Here is the amazing detail that my digital copies have. These copies are precious treasures to me.


Beau Geste Alwar Elephant (set BG190) retired



The Alwar Group (sets BG190, BG290 and BG314)


Alwar and Dewas Senior at the turn from Chadni Chawk st to Ahmad Pai.

 

[johnnybach]

I'm also looking in - in fascination at the processes you adopt to get to the making of these colourful pieces Ana.

Buying painted items is not my thing - but I can - and do appreciate what you produce.

Thank you for the insights - much appreciated. johnnybach

 

[DMNamiot]

Johnny if the Durbar bug ever gets you look out! I will be so glad when we are done moving and settle down somewhere so I can build the Durbar display in my head! It involves a lot of space and troops as well as elephants galore!


Dave

 

[Ana Donzino]

Thank you, Johnny. I'm glad that you are enjoying it too. Thanks for letting me know

Ana

 

[Ana Donzino]

The pair of today

The Tenth Pair of Elephants: Tonk and Dewas Junior


Both elephants, south side of the Jumma











Turning from Khas road, East side of the Jumma Masjid.

 

[Ana Donzino]

A small break within the elephants' identification. I wanted to show the detail that some of the photographs have. It's amazing that they could be so neat and clear in those times. The negatives were much larger than today, and the impression was on glass. Both things gave the photographs from that period a huge amount of detail.
Something to have in mind: I order my copies in medium quality, because I know that that's enough to see the details that I need, in order to make my elephants. Imagine the high quality ones!


One of the most known photographs of the Durbar. As I mentioned, the first part of the Main Procession was the most photographed part of the parade. We used this photo (among others) to make our Kashmir and Travancore elephants.


This is the detail of the Kashmir elephant face


Another of my digital copies bought at the British Library. The Main Procession is going in front of the Main Hall.


The mahout of the elephant of Datia, part of the clothes of the maharaja, the elephant's earrings. The information that I get from this photographs is invaluable.


Beautiful detail of 3 local dignataries watching the procession.

 

[Ana Donzino]

A shot of the elephants around the south side of the Jumma Masjid. When I saw that the Kapurthala elephant had a young boy sitting beside the maharaja I decided that I couldn't resist not to make it.





The regiment that stood at both sides of the elephants path along the South side of the Jumma, the 6th Jat Light Infantry. This was one of our main sources when we made them.


Beau Geste 6th Jat Light Infantry (set BG188)

 

[Ana Donzino]

Another digital copy. The Makala group, Sehr & Mukalla infantry and musicians at the Retainers Review (sets BG211 and BG212)http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/p-2832-troops-of-the-sultan-of-makala-sehr-mukalla-delhi-durbar-1903.aspx http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/p-2831-music-band-from-makala-sehr-mukalla-delhi-durbar-1903.aspx


This photographer at the Retainers had the focus of his lens slightly behind the parade itself. The troops standing at the back are neater than anything else.


Digital copy of the Kota group. VERY neat. I love this photograph.


The trio mounted on one of the Retainers elephants, carrying the flag.


Beau Geste Kota elephant flagbearer (set BG346)

 

[Ana Donzino]

The regiment at both sides of Khas Road, and the main and East side of the Jumma Masjid, along Esplanade Road, the Royal Irish Rifles.


Beau Geste Royal Irish Rifles (set BG189)

 

[Ana Donzino]

Glass slide and stereoview. The Kashmir escort guards standing beside the elephant at Queen's road.


Beau Geste Kashmir guards set (BG291)


Check this detail. This image came to me a long time after we made the Kashmir elephant. You'll see here something that we missed because we didn't have enough detail in our pictures: there are two tiny lions on the tip ornaments of the tusks. I'd love to have had this photo by the time we made the elephant. Sometimes the information arrives too late

Ana

 

[zblang]

Just a fantastic thread! Keep them coming Ana!

 

[Ana Donzino]

Thank you, Zach. I will

 

[Ana Donzino]

The Eleventh Pair: Sirohi and Samthar


In front of the Jumma


This is one of my paper copies from the very beginning. I'm about to order the digital copy of this photo. I want to have it with a better definition.


South side of the Jumma Masjid


This is a good shot of both elephants. I love the pattern on the Samthar elephant and the cloth ornaments falling from its ears. The Sirohi elephant has extra padding at the bottom of the howda, more to the rear of it.


This photo has wonderful detail even if both maharajas can't be clearly seen. The pattern of Samthar again, and the collars of both elephants.

 

[Vicknor]

This may be one of the best threads on any forum relating to miniatures ever. Stunning piece of work and some of the most amazing photographs.

I'd like to join everyone else in saying very well done. Just spent a couple of fantastic hours pouring over this thread.

 

[johnnybach]

One question has been lurking at the back of my mind whilst looking through these fabulous images Ana - and it's one that I too have been very familiar with when embarking upon a new project. I'm interested in how you decide upon the colours for each piece/figure - given that many of your images are non-colour photographs??? jb

 

[Ana Donzino]

This may be one of the best threads on any forum relating to miniatures ever. Stunning piece of work and some of the most amazing photographs.

I'd like to join everyone else in saying very well done. Just spent a couple of fantastic hours pouring over this thread.

Thank you! I'm glad that you are enjoying it as much as I do

 

[Ana Donzino]

Jb - I have a process or that. My first source would be a manuscript belonging to Inglis Sheldon-Williams that my friend Bill found at the British Library and copied for me. He drew sketches and took notes of the different contingents so he could later paint the scene. These is one of the sketches:

Then I go through all the newspaper cuts of the period that describe the groups, then through the few texts that describe the Delhi Durbar. If I don't find anything there I look for the flag colors, and pictures of the Indian museums to see if I can find a clue. Generally, all that process throw a pair of ideas. Also, I know that yellow and red photographed as black. I try to convert to black and white my images of Indian clothes nowadays to have an idea, although I know that that's not very accurate. At the end, I decide the colors left based on combination and my taste
Hope this explains it a bit.

 

[johnnybach]

Jb - I have a process or that. My first source would be a manuscript belonging to Inglis Sheldon-Williams that my friend Bill found at the British Library and copied for me. He drew sketches and took notes of the different contingents so he could later paint the scene. These is one of the sketches:
View attachment 193107
Then I go through all the newspaper cuts of the period that describe the groups, then through the few texts that describe the Delhi Durbar. If I don't find anything there I look for the flag colors, and pictures of the Indian museums to see if I can find a clue. Generally, all that process throw a pair of ideas. Also, I know that yellow and red photographed as black. I try to convert to black and white my images of Indian clothes nowadays to have an idea, although I know that that's not very accurate. At the end, I decide the colors left based on combination and my taste
Hope this explains it a bit.

Hi Ana - yes, I can follow - as this process is also familiar to me. It's always handy to have something that someone has produced before - although this is a VERY specialist area. My own projects are less exotic - but there have often been times where someone has done leg-work before to take advantage of. I must admit to using some of your (non-Dhurbar) sets as colour guides for some of my own projects - so thanks for those!

I also understand the colour shift which occurs with B&W ( or even sepia) photos. You do appear to have a marvelous resource with the British Museum pics - BUT - Oh! - I bet you DO wish that colour photography had come along a bit sooner!!!

Lovely stuff - and a very enjoyable thread - thanks for the reply - most interesting. jb

 

[Ana Donzino]

Following pair of elephants: the 12th, Jhalawar and Charkkhari

There are certain pairs of elephants of which I don't have many pictures. This pair is one of them.


The Main Procession in front of the Main Hall


The painting of the face of the Charkkhari elephant is so beautiful. And look at the escort guards, they are really cute


Both elephants turning around from Khas road. East side of the Jumma Masjid.


The curve towards the South side of the Jumma. This photograph was probably taken by the photographer that was on the tall platform.

 

[Ana Donzino]

Thirteenth Pair: Kolhapur and Rajgarh


First corner of the Jumma Masjid, turning to South side.


Same corner, same photographer's spot than the previous pair.
I love the Rajgarh elephant. It's not going to be my next elephant but it's planned for a near future.