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Woodland Indian - Kit Review

Discussion in 'Reviews , Video Reviews and Open Book' started by Guy, Mar 7, 2006.

  1. Guy A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Woodland Indian
    54mm white metal
    Seil Miniatures
    Sculpted by Alan Ball
    Painted by Liu Song Hui
    12 white metal parts
    12 etched brass feathers

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    Historical Notes

    Woodland Indian, Mid. 18th Century -

    This figure represents a typical Eastern woodlands / Great lakes Indian of the mid 18th century.
    Their clothing was a mix, taking into account environmental demands and the availability of materials. When the white traders arrived, they brought with them materials never before available, which were taken up with enthusiasm, and which to a certain extent affected the way these Indians looked. Not in respect to the form of dress as much as the way the clothes were made and decorated.

    Wool and linen were quickly adopted by the Indians to supplement the leather and skins that was traditionally used, glass beads, silver or brass jewelry, silver Gorgets or large medals handed out or traded as presents to the chiefs by the white men (both British and French) were seen as a status symbol and worn with pride. Ochre and vermillion pigments became common and as a consequence the designs on the clothing became much finer than the use of Quillwork alone would allow. Plain or ruffled shirts became a popular Indian piece of clothing.

    Perhaps the most striking visual element of the Indian decoration was the "slit ear", it was common practice for the men to cut through the outer rim of the ear leaving it attached at top and bottom, this was sometimes stretched by the use of weights. Once stretched, the ears were decorated with copper wire, silver baubles and other jewelry.
    Nose piercing was also common at this time.

    The hair would be shaved from most of the head leaving a section at the top rear of the head (a scalp-lock), to which various designs of "roaches" and feathers would be attached.
    Tattooing was also widely practiced, with the men tattooing their arms, legs and faces with all types of figures , serpents, birds and other animally as well as geometric designs.
    At the same time it was also common for the Indians to paint their faces and bodies with soot or pigments to present an intimidating and frightening vision to their enemies (for instance, some were described as painting their whole head down to the eyebrows with a red pigment, so this was not just a matter of small designs and the type of "warpaint" seen in old movies).

    The Indians did still use bows and arrows, but the European firearm was pretty well universally used for both hunting and war.

    This indian has his Moccasins( It was not unknown for the indians in winter to actually wear two sets of moccasins, one on top of another, for greater protection), Breech cloth (a blue trade cloth was very common here)and leggings (which could be either Buckskin or cloth ....depending on season and what sort of material he had available) with garters just below the knee and a European linen shirt or smock.
    he has a trade blanket suspended on a belt around his shoulders along with the usual Powder horn and hunting bag, which would be decorated with bead and quill work . He carries his flintlock and a hatchet is passed through his belt.
    In this case, he has acquired several Gorgets which he has hung around his neck, his ears have several silver or brass pendents and he has a Red "Roach" on his head with two Eagle feathers.

    He also has his knife suspended around his neck in a decorated sheath.

    Box Art Photographs

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    Kit and Assembly

    The kit is comprised of 12 white metal parts along with 12 brass etched feathers and comes in a very well packaged heavy duty box. Minimal seam lines and excellent dry-fitting of all parts.

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    The attention to detail is once again achieved by Master Sculpter Alan Ball and is seen throughout the figure and assembly.

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    Brass etched feathers come all together and can easily be cut as needed with quite a few spares for other projects remaining.

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    Seil has now included in their kits a full page color guide with 4 different views of the figure to help the artist in their choice of colors.

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    Conclusion

    Overall this is an exceptional example of our Easter Woodland Indians and will probably be seen on many show tables throughout the comming years.

    Seil Miniatures web site - click here

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