Wednesday 23 April 2014

Antiquis Malleum Snakeman by Tim Prow



I had heared some rumblings online about Mick Leach's Antiquis Malleum doing a snakeman model. I wasn't aware that there were any concepts for the piece and I am wondering if this model comes straight from the imagination of Tim Prow. 

Now, if you haven't heard of the snakemen before, they were a range of Citadel models sculpted by (I think) Chaz Elliot in the mid '80s. Highly collectible today, that are occasionally criticised for their poor execution and high trade price online. I have owned two of these models in my time, and always found them rather charming, in a chunky sort of way. Still, you are looking at about £10 to get hold of a single model these days on eBay so the attraction must still be there. 


As you can see from this WIP green, the modern snakemen are much more dynamic than their '80s cousins, yet there are plenty of subtle nods to the glory days of old: the chunky shoulder pads, the mail 'skirt' and that incredibly detailed shield. I am not quite sure what Tim plans to do with the brass rod, but be it axe, sword or spear this will be a striking model when complete that should delight any painter or collector who enjoys the 'Oldhammer' look of models. 


The skulls around the torso of the model help cement the model amongst the other pieces produced by the project by Tim and Drew. Though, if I am honest a snakeman was the last type of model I was expecting to see come of of Eastern Front's forthcoming Kickstarter. This got me wondering what other delights will be heading our way soon, especially when you consider that both Tony Hough and Kev 'Goblinmaster' Adams are also connected to this exciting and growing miniatures project. 


What are your thoughts on the snakeman? And also, what other races would you like Antiquis Malleum to produce? If there anything in particular that you would like to see made?

Orlygg.

23 comments:

  1. I like the fact the Snakeman has 3 arms, keeping it chaos and still being a nod to the older Snakemen. I'd love some Chaos Goblins next :)

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    1. You're in luck. Mick is in discussion with the Goblinmaster to do such a range. I want him to make some gnomes too!

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  2. Coolio! Actually, this is the first of those sculpts I really like (besides Mr. Bathead). This figure has got a kind of dynamic and feeling for movement that the older ones have been missing so far. Keep it up!

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    1. I love the Conan inspired shield. Though snakemen were more common in the Kull stories.

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  3. Keep the Chaos oddities coming, but I would love to see some Chaos Goblins/Goblins/Orcs too.

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    1. Good things come to those who wait. I am trying to encourage Mick to commission some lovely gnomes too. Brave gnomes, evil gnomes and dare I say, chaos gnomes!!!

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  4. I'm liking the snakeman, it's a cracking model. I've had one in my collection for many, many years without even knowing what it was, but now that it's been identified I should probably dab some paint on it.

    It would be a shame if he was on his own though, they could certainly stand to sculpt a couple of friends for him too.

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    1. I think you are right there, this model needs a few more snakey mates to cause a problem or two for some adventurers on the table, don't they?

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  5. This is probably the nicest snakeman miniature I've ever seen. It looks like it would be a lot of fun to paint. With every photo of the greens that you post, I get more and more excited about this project.

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    1. Thanks Sean... Its a project that has grown and grown in size as more people become involved. Mick's pretty confident that he can get The Foundry to do the casting for him. So quality will high.

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  6. Love to see some Rhino Miniatures coming out of this group.

    Needs more Rhino~

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    1. There was a Rhino headed beastman sculpted by Kev Adams in the 80s. I painted it for my Warhammer Bestiary project. Go see!

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  7. Excellent!
    Plz, I need a 3 legged goblin for my project lol ;)

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    1. The one from Shadows Over Bogenhafen? Yes, I need that one too!

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  8. This is the nicest AM green I've seen so far... I hope it is part of that release! :)

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  9. Looks really great.
    Id like to see at least 2 or more sculpts to have some variety, they would be a great centrepiece unit for any evil force. It would be especially cool if a leader model had a cobra cowal!

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    1. Agreed there. I hope there will be enough snakemen done to make a unit of them. let's wait and see.

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  10. The asymmetry is solid. Nothing says Chaos like odd numbers of limbs.

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  11. Annoying that the scales look like a fruit-bag texture pushed into the back, ending at an abrupt and almost literal cut-off point where they meet the belly scales, rather than... scales.
    When sculpting snakemen, it might've been useful to look at snakes.

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    1. Post a link to your greens so we can compare your sculpting of scales with Tim's. It would be quite useful as the range develops! Thanks!

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  12. Howdy Orlygg,

    Long time lurker here. I know this is an old post and AM a since gone belly-up but are you aware of any plans to release these snake-men under a different label. They are magnificent and I must have them!

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