Review "The Tempter" from Himini

[Nap]

Hi to all

Following on from my first look at a Himini release here :
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/medieval-cuman-horse-archer-from-himini.119070/

Its my pleasure to be able to show you another 75mm scale piece , this was announced here by the company:
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/himini-official-news-the-tempter-75mm.119044/

This time we are moving forward in time to depict some of the day to day happenings that might occur in a soldier's life ...the soldier being a Landsknecht , hard fighting , hard drinking and hard playing .....

......and as we will see in this release very much .."hands on"

I am sure we have all heard of and seen these soldiers , colourful , fierce in battle , unruly at times , often changing sides ...and sometimes in mid battle !!!......flamboyant to say the least and I am sure the ranks were full of character's..young and older veterans.....all hard drinking as well

Discipline was harsh with executions being very common , by the sword and without trial

One of the solace's in a soldiers life was the " services" offered by the sultler or camp women , the appropriate period name is “Trossfrau”, meaning ‘baggage train woman (or wife), who along with the children formed the ever growing baggage train , suffering alongside the hardships of campaign and often first to plunder.

Some of the weapons we see on the release:

Sword or Katzbalger

Dagger

Continued in next post

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Lets have some books that are of use when looking at this release:




Lets go to the release details:

Title: The Tempter , 16th Century

Referenece: HI-75-003

Material : Gray Resin

No of pieces: 26 plus Insert

Sculptor: Stepan Nikolaev

Box Art: None present

Casting: Russian Company local to Himini

​

Initial thoughts

• Very good presentation and packing
• Casting of high quality using 100% smooth cast 300 resin ( details from Himini )
• Access to remove parts from plugs is easy
• Minimal use of filler
• Nice touch that the sculptor signs the insert and the cover

As before all packing is very secure in a laser cut wooden box , with the parts in bags and in recycled materials (straw type) , the box being held by a push on cardboard surround with pictures on one side ( not colour ) and on the other the fact that the release is a New Year edition



The insert itself is full of details and some nice reference pictures

You get a lot of quality resin a lot of parts , but all well wrapped for safety

• Of particular note is that the sword is individually wrapped to protect the delicate hand guard.

Parts consist of:

• 4 parts of the base
• Soldier: Full Torso with left leg , separate right leg and the arms , 2 left lower hands , head, hat, 4 feathers , 2 weapons , small piece of equipt ( small brass powder flask )
• Sutler: Full body , 2 arms , head , left foot

9 Note missing is the actual sword ...see later in review )

Prep

• Remove pieces from formers and fit into place
• Slight sanding to underside of female

Note : The fit of both heads to the pegs is really very good , no filling needed where the head met the neck.

Lets look at the Base first

Consisting of a actual base with the framework , I would like to say that the fit is very well thought out with cutouts and insets being very well angled, there is a casting block to take away ...razor saw will do that with ease , all of the surfaces are wood textured , allowing washes etc to bring out the detail easily .

You can see the pieces in the pic above.

​

Continued in next post

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Lets look now at the Landsknecht

These comments will more than suffice

• Very high quality castings throughout
• Fit is equally as good
• Excellent undercuts and slashing definition
• Position of the hand onto the females rear is good ....seconds before he gets hit by her left hand or the jug of ale !!!
• Folds and creases are very natural and well presented
• Detail work on the ties that kept everything together when worn ..again well shown and sitting well against
• The work on the hands are very accurate and natural
• Head is a cheeky character ..certainly with thoughts in his mind .......great smirk on him , hair is well shaped and defined
• a very impressive codpiece!!

Lets the pictures do the talking ....Its an IMPRESSIVE sculpt and casting

Main figure

Head

​

The Right Leg



Arms




Note: in this picture we also have the powder flask and the females left foot

Continued in next post


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Now to the young lady and then the remaining pieces

• She wears the clothing as seen in woodcuts and references
• Folds are good hanging naturally
• Apron is hooked ath the waist around a cord
• The waist cord has keys hanging on it .....
• The bodice is well formed with the ties "straining" to keep her ample attributes in place
• Work on the shoes are again as expected , good and well represented
• Fit of the arms are clean and easy , minimal filler will be needed
• The arms are covered with loose hanging sleeve , nicely ruffled at the wrist , hands are delicate and well formed
• Facial features are very finely done , she wears a headscarf ..similar to the picture " The girl with the Pearl Earring"

Here are the pictures:
Main Figure



Arms



Head




Remaining pieces

• The cap is again a nice representation of original items
• The jug and the tankards are a good shape and fit easily
• Feathers ( x 4 ) all shaped to fit the cap , all with fine surface work
• Weapons are little gems ..particularly the sword ..very well worked

Final Thoughts

So there you have it a really good and well executed release , casting is of the high standard as with my previous review ., Himini are a welcome company to the hobby and I look forward to seeing more from them.....
for now I will say ..HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and well done Himini

I would like to see a website from them but for now you can contact by :

but you can contact Vasily either by :

Message on FB page

Or a PM via this forum to user ID HIMINI

Email: [email protected]

If you are in the UK then El Greco Miniatures are showing the releases

As a finale lets have some pics of a painted version from Himini

Thanks to Himini and for you all for looking in

Happy benchtime

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[MCPWilk]

Very nicely done, but who's tempting whom, tempter or temptress?

Mike

 

[HIMINI]

Very nicely done, but who's tempting whom, tempter or temptress?

Mike

Thank you Mike!​

I shall give a small explanation of the Idea))

Kitchen girl is tempted by mercenary. She tried to pick up an empty mug from the landsknecht but he moves away his right hand and catch her with his left)
And she didn`t know how to deal with that situation:
1. Break the jug over his head
2. Pretend that nothing happened
3. Encourage him

You can choose the end of that story by yourself.

Besides there is some inner meaning about that sculpture. For example the beer mug and the position of his ballock dagger (reminds something ) is the allegory to life with a lot of fun. And the shape of a column similar to a gibbet is a reference to Death which stands behind.​

Here are a couple of pictures in addition to Kevin's we used as reference for interest

 

[grasshopper]

Nice review..must admit I scroll thru the references without much glance until I get to the meat of the review, then if promising may go back..but that’s just my way..you’ve turned it up a notch.

 

[Nap]

Nice review..must admit I scroll thru the references without much glance until I get to the meat of the review, then if promising may go back..but that’s just my way..you’ve turned it up a notch.

Hi John

Thanks for the comments ...as for the reference it's something I like to do not everybody has access to a lbrary like me or knows where to look for details ..up to the reader of course .......PM sent

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[Wings5797]

A cracking review Kev.
Thank you for pulling it all together.
Keith

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

Good Berthier, current affairs are settled, what do you think of my last review in planet figure?
- Beautiful as usual Nap ...

 

[grasshopper]

Now that’s a fine concept for a piece..

 

[Redcap]

Excellent review thank you Kevin and what a character piece that is. These young Russian sculptors are so full of imagination and ideas that they are now (IMHO) the leaders in the figure world.

THIS is what the hobby needs...not even more Crusaders, French Hussars, Romans in lorica armour and Celts!

Gary

 

[grasshopper]

Very much so Gary..you nailed it..

 

[HansDig]

I'm working on this one as we speak and it is an amazing piece. The very sharp casting and fantastic detail make it a joy to work on. Even with my limited craftmanship this might turn out to be a piece that makes me proud.

 

[clrsgt]

Great review as always. I am sorely tempted by this one. I also think that Napoleon and Berthier is a great idea as well.

 

[Shark]

Excellent review great reference material.