Thorsberg Miniature Review
Item #54-008
Celtic Nobleman, Urnfield Culture 10th - 9th century BC
54mm white metal
sculpted by Zsolt Uhrin
painted by Andreas Strassmeir
10 white metal parts

Historical Note:

The Late Bronze-Age Urnfield Culture in Central Europe lasted from approximately 1350 to 800 BC. The name comes from the custom of cremating the dead and placing their ashes in urns which were then buried in fields. The practice of burying the cremated remains in burial mounds (tumuli) however continued in parts. The Urnfield culture followed the Tumulus Culture and was succeeded by the Iron Age Hallstatt Culture around 800 BC. The Urnfield people can be regarded as the ancestors of the Iron Age Celts.

Our figure represents a noble warrior from the highest social class of this culture. His elevated social rank is indicated by the splendid, highly decorated bronze armor.

Since there are no surviving garments from this culture, the reconstruction of the clothing must remain fairly conjectural. Likewise there is no passed down information regarding hair- and beard-style of this period. Single spiral rings found in body burials around the neck area point to the assumption that the hair was gathered at the back of the head. The bronze disks (Phaleren) on the skirt of the padded over tunic were found in Bad Buchau ("Water Castle Buchau"). However their position and function are mere speculation. The shoes are modeled after finds from the Hallstatt salt mines, Austria.
The warrior is clad in precious bronze armor: The cuirass is based on an original from Fillinges/ Haute Savoie, France, while the crested helmet is styled after a find from Biebesheim/ Hessia, Germany. The embossed greaves are copied from originals found in Kurim/ Maehren, Czech Rep.. A bronze round-shield of the Nipperwiese Type from Bamberg-Gaustadt/Bavaria, Germany, completes his equipment. The warrior is armed with spear and bronze sword. The bronze spear-head, almost 50 cm long, was found in Crevic, Dep. Meurthe et Moselle, France. The sword from Moerigen, Switzerland, rests in a wooden scabbard based on fragments from Behringersdorf/ Bavaria, Germany. The bronze chape stems again from Bad Buchau. A bronze bracelet after an original from Bergruen/ Graubuenden, Switzerland, adorns the man's wrist.

Thorsberg Miniatures brings us a beautifully sculpted figure in white metal. Packaged in a sturdy white box with the parts sandwiched between layers of foam. The smaller parts are sealed in a separate bag to prevent loss during shipping.

Above you see the parts out of the box for inspection.

Above you see the separate cast head depicting a Celt Nobleman.

Above you see the four views of the torso with the arms being cast separately.

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Above you see both sides of the arms, one holding a spear and the left arm holding the shield.

Above you see the shield strap and the hair pigtail to attach behind the head below the helmet.

Above you see the white metal base as well as two plaques, one in German and the other in English.

Above you see close-ups of the armor as well as the leg armor.

The above historical note and color guide comes in German on one side and English on the reverse side.

Additional Box Art
Photographs

Conclusion:
An excellent kit depicting a Celt Nobleman of this period. Minimal seam lines to clean and crisp and clean sculpting. Highly recommended.

Thorsberg Miniatures web-site
click here

R272

Thanks Guy,
Very traditional pose, but look a very interesting figure.

Marc