A Figurative Rebellion: CBG Mignot

American Civil War bugler from CBG Mignot.

It's true that I have a lot of bees buzzing around in my bonnet. But there is perhaps no bee quite as dedicated to his daily noise as this one: CBG Mignot. Buzz, buzz, I am obsessed.

CBG Mignot began crafting toy soldiers in Paris in 1785, and continue with the same process and dedication today.

They carefully cast each piece of lead alloy and then meticulously paint them by hand. Their extensive catalog includes soldiers from every war you can imagine, as well as other civilian figurines like dentists and bull fighters and Tour de France cyclists!

Napoleon figurine from CBG Mignot.

I picked up a couple of these collector's items at the tiny French General Store on Nantucket (now closed) for $90 each. In my relentless pursuit to expand my collection, I headed to a store in Manhattan where the empty-handed owner met me with a very faraway, very un-Manhattan look. "The %*$& government," she said, "It's illegal to sell lead soldiers in the US."

Which brings me to the fact that, neurotoxins aside, you can still purchase these magnificent creatures at a little e-commerce store in Missouri where, thank goodness, people have been ignoring the dictates of the US government since (more or less) 1785.