DWARF-KINGDOM

For over seven centuries the Dwarf-kingdom of Erebor grew wealthy and powerful, but in the year 2770 the winged, fire-breathing dragon called Smaug the Golden destroyed the realm, and drove out the Dwarves.

           

 

                 

Scene no 59: The front gate to Erebor (WETA, Front Gate to Erebor, Sculptors: Dave Tremont and Leonard Ellis) carved into the green stone of the Lonely Mountain. And all around, green trees (Unknown manufacturer).

The text: From TOLKIEN - The Illustrated Encyclopedia, by David Day.

EL CID

…

And so his honour in the land grows greater day by day.

Upon the feast of Pentecost from life he passed away.

For him and all of us the Grace of Christ let us implore.

…

 

                        

 

Scene no 58: Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (Del Prado collection, El Cid, 1098) gallops past a ruined medieval church (King & Country, Battle-scarred French church) among the leafless autumn trees (Heki decoration plastic tree kit).

The text: From the last verses of «The poem of the Cid».

ATALI

“Brothers!” cried the girl, dancing between them.

 “Look who follows! I have brought you a man to slay! 

Take his heart that we may lay it smoking on our father’s board!”

 

 

                    

 

                 

Scene no 57: Conan against the children of Ymir (Dark Horse full color PVC set, Figures designed by artist Arthur Suydam).

The text: From Robert E. Howard’s «The Frost Giants Daughter».

ANIMAL FARM

«All animals are equal,

but some animals are more equal than others.»

 

 

Scene no 56: The pigs Napoleon and Snowball stand out among the rest of the farm animals (Britains plastic Toy farm animals and fences).

The quote: From George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

ZINNFIGUR

«The flat is a point of reference to the historian,

a means of expression to the artist,

and an object of desire to the collector.»

 

 

             

Scene no 55: Late medieval army - before the parade (Hand-painted, flat-cast metal miniatures).

What is a flat: From The Art of the Flat Tin Figure, by Michael Taylor.

ACHILLES

«As a fire raging in some mountain glen after long drought - and the dense forest is in a blaze, while the wind carries great tongues of fire in every direction - even so furiously did Achilles rage, wielding his spear as though he were a god, and giving chase to those whom he would slay, till the dark earth ran with blood.»

 

                                                

                                                                                                       

Scene no 54: The fearsome son of Peleus on his chariot (Athena plastic toy soldiers), scatters the Trojans (Britains Herald plastic figures, all different poses of Trojans) among the plants (Athena plastic palm foliage).

The text: From The Iliad of Homer - Βοοκ ΧΧ.

PAPAGENO

The bird-catcher, that’s me,

always cheerful, hip hooray!

As a bird-catcher I’m known

to young and old throughout the land.

I know how to set about luring

and how to be good at piping.

That’s why I can be merry and cheerful,

for all the birds are surely mine.

 

                                      

 

 

Scene no 53: Papageno, the bird-catcher (Wilhelm Schweizer - Diessen, hand-painted pewter figure) walks down a forest path (Hand-painted pewter trees, made in Austria and Bavaria), carrying on his back a birdcage containing various birds.

The lyrics: From Act One of The Magic Flute, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder.