Mysterious “El Amigo”

Everyone,

I have this ceramic figurine that I’m looking to sell it but before doing it, I’d like to find as much as information that I could about it.

what I know is that this figurine was purchased by my mum when I was a wee lad (30 years ago or so). My mum called it, “British statue”. It was on display in the house for sometimes until one day my mum put it away in the storage room. My mum purchased it from overseas using the US dollars (how much I don’t know and no one knows, My mum has recently passed away).

Looking at the figurine, I don’t think it’s British at all due to its costume. I’ve been using google and even contacted World auction gallery for an appraisal and they couldn’t determine the value and the origin.

I’ve examined the figure and there was no artist’s name or even the character’s name.

All I could speculate is that the character is modelled after a Spanish conquistador yet I don’t see a cross anywhere on the figurine. However, while I’m doing a detective’s work to find as much as information about this figurine so I could sell it, I called it, “El Amigo” just for the fun of it.

So, I ask any kind soul here to help me to share with me of their thoughts and their knowledge so I can learn more about “el amigo”, please.

Here are some photos of “el amigo” in horizontal angles.

 

Maybe he should be called "Der Freund", because I get a German "Landsknecht" vibe from him. I could be wrong though.
A Landsknecht was a mercenary, mostly German and Swiss fighters that could be hired for any European war.



"Landsknechte" ca 1530 by Daniel Hopfer.

 

'El Amigo' looks 1970's to me,but I could be hilariously wrong.Excuse this quick detour,but it gives me an excuse to show one of my favorite military uniforms:-The 'Winged Hussars'-Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1503 to 1702.
PS-I do not own this armor.

 

I agree, he looks pretty recent. He could have been new when Classic's mum bought it.

One I have always loved.
That was how Jan Sobieski's troops came to the rescue in Austria, when Vienna was under siege by the Turks. If he hadn't, European history and culture would have been quite different.
I'm sure the Turks couldn't believe their eyes when they saw these winged creatures rushing towards them.

 

Aren't they magnificent-like Polish Valkyries ! A fun novel-'The Drawing of the Dark' by Tim Powers is abt The Siege of Vienna by Suleiman I and the supernatural properties of a Viennese dark beer.

 

Sorry for your loss !!

 

I totally missed that part, I'm sorry, Classic.
And I'm sorry for your loss.

 

This information from you definitely is another step to understand this figurine. You’re may be onto something here and I’m doing my due diligence on “Landsknechte” now. The clothing does resemble a picture you shared.

However, there is one part I think will help us to determine the origin. There is an emblem on his chest armour (?). I thought it was a lion but it could be a monkey or a gargoyle.

what do you think?

PS. It could be “Der freund” indeed or “Herr Prussia”. But the more I look at him, he looks like Christian Bale.

 

My mum bought it in the early 90s. You’re maybe right, though. It should be produced during the period of 1970s and 1990s when life was much simpler .

I keep on thinking based on the weapons and the clothing if he was a royal guard or some Lord. I may be wrong, by Lords usually didn’t use spears.

 

That would have been a sight, looking at winged knights shouting a war cry, the sound of the wings fluttering against the wind, horses galloping towards the Ottoman Turks. It would have been terrifying and awe at the same time.

 

Thank you for the condolences, komokwa.

 

No worries, Any Jewelry. Thank you for the kind words.

 

Or a bear. It may not be based on an actual crest.

 

there was a spanish revival decor boom during the 60's - I can clearly remember the red or blue velvet sofas - the knights in armor in the corner - the sconces of spiked balls with chains - it was dungeon like - it looked like medieval torture decor - I think that's the origin of El Amigo...

 

I wonder if the figurine is based on a real character or at the very least based on historical custom of a certain country (empire). It will be even more confusing if the figurine is just based on some imagination of the artist.

 

It is probably a bit of both.

 

I think he is much more recent, probably new when Classic's mum bought him.
And the costume doesn't look very Spanish to me.

 

1960's Spanish Revival-people used to hang Bullfighting Posters in their living rooms for atmosphere.It was more bohemian/beatnik than atomic ranch.