A carved ivory figure of the Great Elector, German, circa 1875

the equestrian figure of Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg, shown rallying troops at the battle of Fehrbellin on 28 June 1675, on ebonised wood base inlaid with ivory panels engraved with the battle date and arms of Brandenburg within scrollwork and putto masks

Very good condition although lacking tip of index finger on right hand. Some timecracks and original joins to ivory and touching up of ebonising on base.
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Although not of great military significance, the battle of Fehrbellin was of great psychological import in establishing the superiority of the Prussian army. The Swedes, under Count Waldemar von Wrangel, had invaded Brandenburg. The Elector Frederick William, force-marched his troops for 250 miles in 15 days to return from Poland to surprise the Swedes and defeat them in conjunction with Fieldmarshal Georg von Derfflinger. The day of the battle was celebrated as a public holiday in Germany up until 1914 when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated on the same day.