Alexander the Great is the fourth in a series of Prestige studies of famous riders and horses, after Charge of the Light Brigade, Henry V at Agincourt, and St George. Born in 356 BC, he took the throne after his father was assassinated in 336 BC – and conquered the Persian Empire within three years. It’s a classic Royal Doulton Prestige figure, which vividly brings to life the spirit of a man who changed history. This piece features burnished 22-carat gold highlights, an ingeniously designed leopard skin saddle, and a special Prestige Collection back stamp. It’s the first time Alexander has appeared as a Royal Doulton figurine.
Master sculptor Alan Maslankowski said, “Modeling Alexander was a terrific experience. I especially enjoyed sculpting the head, ensuring every detail was correctly formed, and I particularly liked shaping Buchephalus’ eye. There were, as ever, the challenges of pose, costume, and color, but my main interest in this piece was the fact that the horse was almost as famous as Alexander himself. Throughout history, certain military commanders had an almost telepathic relationship with war-horses, such as El Cid and Babica and the Duke of Wellington and Copenhagen. In my sculpture I wanted to express the powerful relationship between Alexander and Bucephalus.”
