Mirliton SG - Diorama Reggimento Fanteria di Linea e Cavalleria Francese ( Semi-Brigata)- Prima Repubblica Francese - 1980-1990 - Italy

Here is a fine vintage military diorama for collection or a historical 3D Wargame, a true scenography of a deployment of the 56th Half-Brigade of line infantry of the First French Republic (1794-1804) as confirmed by the flag features that bear the inscription "56 Republique 56" at the top and at the bottom "56 Provence 56" with in the center the fasces topped by the Phrygian cap enclosed in a laurel crown.

Having established the historical context of the representation, I would like to add a few words about the technical characteristics of the diorama’s realization: made in 1:56 scale and hand-painted with lead figures, it features an assemblage of mounted soldiers and infantry: the cavalry figures stand about 5.5 cm tall, including the small rectangular green bases covered with vegetation or the hazelnut-colored ground of the simulated scene. The infantry soldiers are about 4 cm tall, including the small base. The colors of the uniforms are blue jackets with red and ochre details. The cavalry numbers 22 figures, while the infantry numbers 26 figures grouped on bases of three, four, or singles, including the First Officer.

The bases of the figures are attached to the panel with modeling glue. The support consists of a rectangular particleboard panel. The top surface has been textured to simulate a natural arid terrain or a dusty plain typical of summer battlefields or rugged hillside areas; it is hazelnut-colored with green patches of material simulating surrounding vegetation. The panel measures: length 45.9 cm, width 37.9 cm, thickness between 3 and 4 mm. The horses have a beautiful brown coat shaded toward warm red.

The diorama is well kept. It shows no breaks. I have simply removed traces of dust with a small dry brush. The colors are still good, but naturally the models show a light, fascinating patina of time appropriate to their age and the object’s nature. There may be traces of surface wear or slight dust marks that do not detract from the diorama’s high aesthetic and collectible value. I included a few photos of two details (the last photos) showing that the saddle is numbered but also that the enamel is no longer perfectly uniform. Viewed as a whole, the diorama is very well maintained, but on a close, piece-by-piece inspection the enamels are not perfectly uniform anymore.

For this item I will perform a particularly careful packaging. Considering that the bases of the various figures are glued to the main panel but the horsemen are not fixed to the saddle, I will use very small modeling magnets to hold the riders and the straps together. I will also create small cardboard boxes for each miniature and will secure the panel/support to a cardboard base. Finally I will use a double packing box, on which I will indicate to the courier—probably UPS—how to position the box. I have already shipped a diorama to France and everything went well thanks to the care with which I packaged the individual pieces and the whole set. Pickup on site is also available. Have fun."