(260) This Listing is for a Rare little Antique Indian Artifact dating back to the Colonial era - A well detailed Bronze Figurine, depicting a Sepoy Officer (native soldier) or guard from the late 18th to the 19th century. The piece belongs to a specific genre of South Asian colonial metalwork - often originating from artistic centre's like Vizagapatam or parts of Tamil Nadu - that realistically documented local military units, servants, and everyday tradespeople for both domestic patrons and European collectors. The figurine is approximately 18cm high, plus its board base, and it is quite heavy. Sepoy were recruited from the local Indian population, trained in European military tactics, and organized into regiments. The highest rank a native sepoy could reach was typically Subedar (a native commissioned officer)
The wide, bow-legged, dynamic squatting posture indicates that this figure was originally cast to be mounted on a horse or camelback - he has a small orifice on his rear to take a metal peg, enabling it to be secured on a horse or camelback.
The soldier is depicted wearing a distinctively styled turban, a buttoned tunic featuring epaulets on the shoulders, and high riding boots typical of colonial-era cavalrymen. He has a stylised moustache and a trimmed beard.  His hands are cast with hollowed grips designed to hold accessory pieces - such as thin brass or bronze horse reins, a matchlock rifle, spear or something similar.
This beautiful figurine would make a most elegant item of home décor which would be sure to interest your guests
I Have More Figurines, Together With Numerous Other Vintage and Antique Listings - Multi Item Postage Discount would of course be given where applicable.
Thank you for taking time to peruse my collection, and stay well,      Colin