Joshua's Attic / Properties

Miniature hand painted soldiers have been popular for almost a century with collectors. While many varieties were mass produced by Speciality Companies, the most prized are those individually hand painted by artists who are also hobbyists. These days, many model soldiers are fabricated from plastic and resins. The surface painted details, or "look," may be fine. But, to the purist Collector, the "gold standard" is still the mold produced "lead soldier" (nowadays, a safe pewter-like alloy)". They have weight and heft, like the characters of the men that they represent.

Joshua's Attic Gallery of Modern Collectibles is proud to present for sale the Hand painted, Individually designed Military Miniatures of Matthew J. Catania, Esq. For well over three decades, Matthew, the older brother of the owner, has been carefully detailing soldiers and dioramas representative of various theaters of war through recent Centuries,. The Civil War has always been a particular Favorite. And frankly, it was the sight of these beautiful creations over the years that inspired our family to admire and collect from this Period.

I can say that these pieces are among the finest hand done artist miniatures that can be bought on the modern market. We offer men from both the Blue and Grey; from all Branches of Service; in individual settings or group/battle scene dioramas. Not only are the figures well-detailed, but the scenery of brush, trees, walls, and even earthen works are hand painted.

Finally, customers are encouraged to request Specific regimental regalia and uniform variations. These pieces can be customized to your wishes. Perhaps, to honor a past ancestor, or a reenactment group to which you belong. Even hair color can be chosen! And if desired specific battle scenes involving 5-10 figures can be constructed to show men breaching enemy breastworks, storming cannon, or fighting from horseback! Of course, the more vivid your imagination, the larger your bill!!!

We request you direct specific questions about cost to the Owners and Artist. After considering the amount of work involved, we can give you an exact delivered price. But please be aware these are custom works that involve many hours. So, payment will be in advance and non-refundable in its entirety. Never the less, we'd be glad to modify small areas of color and the facial features slightly to your liking for free.

Please view some representative works that we have in our collections. The prices that the Artist would charge for similar works are listed in order to give you some ballpark. As with everything, you pay to get quality merchandise. And unlike photographic images and books, these Collectibles are in vivid, colorful 3D!!!

Please click on the links or the pictures below for more details
and larger picture if available

#414 - ZOUAVE OFFICER FIRING PISTOL
A spectacularly posed and well detailed work of art! This Zouave Officer poses with determined grandeur!!! 120mm. Resin. Posed at detailed fence! By Matthew Catania, Esq. ITEM NOT FOR SALE CURRENTLY.
Type: Preserved | Condition: not for sale | Price: 0

#412 - LOUISIANNA TIGER ZOUAVE
This is a very detailed example of a painted "lead" soldier: the Confederate Louisiana "Tiger Zouave." These men assaulted Culp's Hill at Gettysburg in a brave yet futile series of attacks. The Union just barely repulsed them in the last instants. Size: 75mm. of non-toxic alloys. Stand setting designed by & figure painted by Matthew Catania. NOT FOR SALE CURRENTLY
Type: Preserved | Condition: not for sale | Price: 0

#410 - LITTLE ROUND TOP DIORAMA
An honored artistic tradition is to paint miniature metal solders and incorporate several into dramatic battle dioramas. At museums and tourist stops near old battlefields, a visitor can often see huge displays of hundreds if not thousands of warring troops. But when indivudual pieces are made, the time permitted to each work is greatly enhanced with detail becoming metculous. Nowadays, many paintable soldier kits are made of resin hard-plastic. The old metal "lead" soldiers have been replaced by zinc and tin alloys to keep the toxic lead out. This is a dramatic tableau of Joshua Chamberlain, and three soldiers from his famed 20th Maine regiment. They battle from atop the rocky crest of Little Round Top on Day Two of Gettysburg. Had they not held the far flank of the Union army from being turned the overall battle might have tipped to the Confederates that day. In seeking realism, the artist built a base of carved plaster covered in synthetic grass, brush & trees. The "boulders" are real pieces of granite! Size of troopers: 75 mm/ Created by Matt Catania, my brother, who has done such figures since age 12 during the Sixties. NOT FOR SALE CURRENTLY.
Type: Preserved | Condition: not for sale | Price: 0

#407 - U.S. CAVALRY SERGEANT
War period cavalry sergeant holding his saber. Pewter, 75mm. Still Available.
Type: Preserved | Condition: new | Price: 85

#408 - 1851 U.S. DRAGOON FIGURE
A very nice pose of pre-War Dragoon Corporal of the U.S. 2nd Dragoons. Pewter, 90 mm. By Matthew Catania. Custom wood base. Not available from manufacturer. This one piece is still left.
Type: Preserved | Condition: new | Price: 115

#405 - U.S. ARTILLERY CAPTAIN FIGURE
A fine, pewter representation of US Artillery Officer, by Matthew Catania. 90 mm sized. Custom wood base. No longer available by manufacturer. One piece left.
Type: Preserved | Condition: New | Price: 125

#411 - U.S.SHARPSHOOTER IN CORNFIELD
A U.S. Sharpshooter hidden behind a scarecrow in a cornfield; with actual dried stalks as the corn! A very cool genre scene. Resin/ 90mm. By Matthew Catania. Call for availability; this will go fast!
Type: Preserved | Condition: new | Price: 145

#415 - NAPOLEANIC FRENCH ARTILLERY DIORAMA
EXAMPLE: A nice diorama demonstrating the possibilities for artillery unit, or multiple figure scene. Civil War Dioramas can be made for Artillery Units, Infantry Groupings (Charging, or at a Wall), or Cavalry Charge/ Skirmish.
Type: Preserved | Condition: new | Price: 325