Antique Equestrian Lead Hollow-Cast Military Figure

This is an antique hollow-cast lead toy figure depicting a cavalry officer mounted on a horse. The figure is likely of European origin, possibly British (style of W. Britain/Britains) or German (likely Heyde), dating from the late 19th to early 20th century (circa 1895-1920). The officer is depicted in a formal dress uniform featuring a blue tunic with gold or yellow braiding, grey/tan riding boots, and a distinctive white plumed headpiece. The horse is cast in a dynamic, semi-rearing pose, traditionally mounted on a thin, integrated oval lead base for stability. The materials consist of a lead alloy with original hand-painted cold-painted enamel finishes. Notable condition issues include significant paint loss, crazing, and 'lead rot' or oxidation appearing as white powdery residue on the horse's flank and neck, which acts as a sign of age but indicates material degradation. The horse's tack is highlighted with red painted reins. The casting shows fine details in the horse's musculature and the soldier's facial profile, typical of high-quality early manufacturing. There are no visible maker's marks in this view, though they are often found stamped on the underside of the base. The patina is consistent with long-term display or storage in a wooden cabinet, with accumulated dust and structural wear on the thin extremities like the horse's legs.