Erzgebirge British Encampment Boxed Playset

this marvelous military playset is at once an astoundingly complex plaything, a true masterpiece displaying some of the ultimate in the art of the craftsmen (and women - often the painters) of the Erzgebirge, and such a surprising survivor from the decade of the 1870's that it almost strains credibility - but here its is - unplayed with and either treasured or forgotten until it surfaced for contemporary collectors in this amazing state of near mint condition; included in the charming toy are 4 turned wood bell tents retaining original paper pennants and 4 smaller painted heavy paper and wood ridge tents - the largest has a furled side and houses a female camp follower at table with a jug and glass and a cask behind her, a second furled tent is inhabited by a seated officer with crossed legs reading a paper dispatch - this is just the beginning of describing the amazing detail found in this toy - seven distinct uniform styles are represented including 6 in red and blue Ôbeefeater' style garb, 4 in regimental kilts with bulbous fur hats, 4 in black with striped white fronted tunics, there are 2 mounted officers and 2 standing beside their mounts - 2 in red with blue tunic fronts and 2 in blue with red, 2 civilians entertain the troops - a lady harpist and man with guitar; accessory campground pieces include cannonball pyramids, a stand of rifles, and a canon on wheels; but the most surprising figures are those in action as opposed to just standing at attention (the normal pose of most Erzgebirge soldiers) - these include a man stoking a fire, one changing his boots, one chopping wood, five are in various poses of relaxation - one prone, one supine, one seated and gesticulating with his arm, one resting on his shoulder against a small hillock with his other hand on hip, and another on his belly lifting a bottle to his lips (curiously these last prefigure the campground action figures of the later German soldier makers of the composition era like Hauser and Lineol); offered with original wood box
Size: box 19.5" x 12" x 4"

excellent to near mint (smaller tents appear to have once had pennants which are missing)