Original price: USD $699
Limited edition of 750
Scale: 1/6
Dimensions: 53 x 40 x 22 cm (HxWxD)
Weight: 8.75 kg
Materials: Polystone, pleather
Previewed: December 2017
Pre-order: February 14, 2018
Released: July 2018
Sculptors: Jane Wenley, Brigitte Wuest, Paul van Ommen

Nephew of ailing King Théoden of Rohan and captain of the Mark, Éomer was as loyal to his liege as the truest Rohirrim, but for questioning the orders of Gríma Wormtongue, the horse lord was banished. Taking his Éored, he rode from Edoras to make private war upon the Orcs that had invaded their realm, even as Théoden turned a blind eye.

In truth the fallen Wizard Saruman had gained influence over Rohan’s king by sorcery. Upon the return of Gandalf Théoden was freed of Saruman’s grip, but not before much of his country had been usurped or put to flame. As Saruman’s legions marched upon them, the Rohirrim fled to the fortress of Helm’s Deep to mount a last stand against the Wizard’s hordes. Outnumbered and outmatched, the few defenders held as long as they could, but defeat loomed.

Then suddenly, as the first rays of sunlight crested the rise to the east, a great host of riders appeared, their spears gleaming in the radiance of the dawn. Led by Éomer upon his brave horse Firefoot, the Riders of Rohan streamed headlong down the scree slope, voices united in a mighty yell and swords held aloft. Like the coming of the tide they swept over the army of Isengard, saving their king, his people, and their realm.

From patterned leather plates, woven fabrics, and elaborate helm, to the full spectrum of buckles, belts, straps, sheaths, gloves, and all manner of things unseen, Éomer’s armour posed a complex challenge for the Weta Workshop crew: none more so than chainmaille.

Worn by the riders of the Rohirrim and most other Tolkien races, real steel chainmaille would not be feasible for the trilogy’s many vigorous action sequences. Departing from the industry standard of the time (knitted cotton thread), a process was developed using plastic rings to create a light, photo-realistic maille. Sliced from alkathene pipe, these rings were linked together, heat welded, and coated in a very fine layer of metal: an astonishing 12.5 million rings in total.

To capture all this fine, intricate detail in 1:6 scale polystone – from the effect of burnished chainmaille and richly aged leather, to sword, steed and stance – Weta Workshop sculptors Jane Wenley and Brigitte Wuest worked in clay, using traditional techniques to develop the figure’s pose and expression. The result is Éomer on Firefoot, frozen in time in this most highly charged of moments from The Two Towers; as if lit from within by the fire of his singular, noble purpose.

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