A number of interesting items arrived into my mailbox this week. One such item is described as a 28mm Desert Guard Tower from Steepled Hat Studios. The online photos of the piece looked quite good. When unwrapped, the tower did not disappoint.
The tower is made from resin and comes as either unpainted or painted. I chose the painted version although painting seems minimal mainly confined to doors and a light stain of the brickwork.
The tower, itself, is guarded by two Assyrian winged bulls shown in their natural state. Perhaps, these statues were painted in antiquity? I will need to research the possibility of painting these creatures.
The tower is billed as suitable for 28mm gaming. I agree. With two of my Assyrian chariots flanking the tower in the top photo, scale seems appropriate to my eye. Notice the detailing on the winged bull. Sculpting on the statue is superb. Facial expressions may be a bit fanciful but superb, nonetheless.
My plan is to use this as a camp or HQ for my Assyrian Army when out on the field of battle. For USD$20 postage paid, this tower is a real bargain and a useful addition to the Assyrian Wars project.
What do you think of this piece?
Wow very nice - bargain for $20.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Thanks for stopping in, MJT!
DeleteThat is a lovely piece of work and a bargain at $20. I'm pretty sure that the winged bulls would have been painted, but can't be certain. Given that Eygptian buildings were and even the inside of medieval cahtedrals, it's a good bet. As for colours, who knows, but I vaguely remember so reliefs in one of the British museums that were made up of coloured tiles, so maybe worth a Google search.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve. I suspect the bulls would be painted too. I have seen references to Persian and Babylonian statues having paint so why not Assyrian? Egyptian statuary was painted, for sure. I have some fun research ahead.
DeleteYep, nice model, it has a useful Assyrian look. I like that the piece has presence, but maintains a usefully small footprint.
ReplyDeleteWell state, Norm! Not too big, not too small...just right.
DeleteThat a great piece and for 20 even better!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
That is what I thought too! How could I pass it up? Well, I couldn't.
DeleteA terrain piece that will certainly be a feature on your tabletop.
ReplyDeleteI think it will look good anchoring the backfield of the Assyrian Army.
DeleteNot sure it would count as pre-painted, but still a bargain for $20
ReplyDeleteYeah, it has minimal painting and a slight wash.
DeleteThat is a lovely piece, Jonathan, and amazing value.
ReplyDeleteThe tower is a neat piece!
DeleteOh, that's looking great!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteWow, I want the same one (but in 15mm!😊)...Splendid and atmospheric, the statues add a lot...
ReplyDeleteToo bad it is only offered in 28mm. The winged bulls are cool.
DeleteVery nice, and $20 is a terrific price. The winged bulls reminds me of a display I saw in the British Museum, and I wonder if they were based on them?
ReplyDeleteThese may have been based on the winged bulls in the British Museum. The winged bulls are a common Assyrian motif so the motivation could have been from many such works.
DeleteLove it. Despite it being a "painted" piece, I would be tempted to add a bit to it. The lions almost certainly were painted. Whether or not I would paint them would depend on whether or not I intended to use the structure as contemporary with the game or as an ancient structure.
ReplyDeleteEd, that is a very good point about whether this will be used in a contemporary setting or as an ancient relic. Since my intention is in a contemporary outpost, I will begin looking into painting the winged bulls.
DeleteIt looks great! I agree with Ed; the lions would almost definitely have been painted.
ReplyDeleteI figured it was likely painted in antiquity. Any suggestions for color schemes?
DeleteCan you post a link to their website?
ReplyDeleteI purchased mine from their ebay store at:
Deletehttps://www.ebay.com/str/steepledhatstudios
Their Facebook page is:
https://www.facebook.com/steepledhatstudios/
Thanks for the review on the tower and thank you for joining the mega sale! Enjoy the tower!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Looks like I will be painting the winged bulls.
DeleteLovely piece of nominally painted terrain, great price too, definitely looking forward to some nice bright colours on your winged bulls!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Yes, expect to see a pair of brightly painted lamassus in the future.
DeleteWhen I eventually got to the British Museum those reliefs were my favourite. Nice tower.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a great treat to see those exhibits.
DeleteThat’s a fantastic addition to any table Jon! Might I suggest a wash and a drybrush to highlight the splendid detail on this model?
ReplyDeleteHi Mike! One day, you will see this piece with painted winged bulls.
DeleteOh, that is marvelous - love the cherubim at the foundation.
ReplyDeleteYes, the lamassus are fine, indeed!
DeletePretty cool 😀
ReplyDeleteYep! It will have a different look once the winged bulls are painted.
DeleteThe tower looks great, Jon, and I love the Lamassu (aka Shedu), which were almost certainly painted (as were the bas reliefs) in ancient times. Along with the tower, they will really "set the pl;ace" for your Assyruians armies.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I painted mine:
https://blundersonthedanube.blogspot.com/2014/02/assyrian-command-figures-etc.html
Thanks for confirming that the statues were painted. Scott found an example of one reconstructed with a very bright paint scheme. I may follow it as an example. As for yours, I remember seeing these when you posted them. They look great and your Assyrian army massive.
DeleteYou probably won’t be surprised to see that the tower has motivated me to push some Kushites into the painting queue.