Hussar Officer; Spanish School, second half of the 20th century.

Officer Hussar; Spanish School, second half of the twentieth century.
Polychrome porcelain.
Measurements: 82 x 52 x 27 cm.
Equestrian statue in polychrome porcelain of Spanish manufacture representing a hussar, a soldier of the light cavalry from Hungary. The character's features are perfectly modeled, with a naturalism enhanced by real hair, mustaches and sideburns. However, the clothing is the absolute protagonist, richly detailed and meticulously reproduced, including the trimmings of the coat, the black leather cuffs and hem, the typical hussar bag with the regimental emblem, the magnificently realistic boots and, above all, the tall hat, typical of the hussars, richly adorned with a golden cord, golden appliqués and a large black feather as a finial.
The hussars were a light cavalry unit of Hungarian origin. The first were recruited by King Matthias Corvinus in Hungary in 1485, in the context of the war against the Ottomans. The model was copied and evolved in other armies. In its beginnings, its form of attack consisted of a compact lance charge against infantry troops. In combat, its function was to harass the enemy, seize artillery batteries and pursue retreating troops. With time, the hussars would become elite troops, sporting a colorful uniform, like the one seen here.