King Robert of Sicily

Another spectacular example from Holtzapffel's highly acclaimed Figure=It=Out range of wooden jigsaw puzzles.

This particular puzzle came with a collection of others, some of which had become housed in the wrong boxes. This one was found in an unmarked box, but I eventually discovered its original box, the title on which had been amended to the Indian Dancer reflecting the puzzle which it now incorrectly housed.
The Company title and address help to tie this puzzle into the period 1910-1922, whilst the solid wooden backing are likely pointers towards the earlier part of this timeframe c1910-1915.

Evidently King Robert of Sicily originated as the subject of a Middle English poem, telling the tale of an arrogant king, displaced by an Angel-usurper, until the “debased and beggared king learned proper humility”. The tale was given a new lease of life due to a version in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1863 published collection of poems “Tales of a Wayside Inn”. (See extract below).

A moment speechless, motionless, amazed,
The throneless monarch on the Angel gazed,
Who met his look of anger and surprise
With the divine compassion of his eyes;
Then said, Who art thou? and why com'st thou here?
To which King Robert answered, with a sneer,
I am the King, and come to claim my own
From an impostor, who usurps my throne!
And suddenly, at these audacious words,
Up sprang the angry guests, and drew their swords;
The Angel answered, with unruffled brow,
Nay, not the King, but the King's Jester, thou
Henceforth shall wear the bells and scalloped cape,
And for thy counsellor shalt lead an ape;
Thou shalt obey my servants when they call,
And wait upon my henchmen in the hall!

I understand that this poem spawned a 1912 short film, several plays and even a libretto for a Massenet opera, so given the estimated date of the puzzle it seems likely to relate to the previously mentioned short film, probably as a poster.

August 2023 update. I am pleased to report that the painting has now been identified as being an artistic reproduction of a still photograph promoting the film. The film was released on 15th December 1912, as reported in the weekly "Bioscope" magazine on 14th November 1912. The painting's artist has not been identified.

Artist: Unidentified
Date: c1912
Brand: Holtzapffel
Material: Solid wood
Nationality: British-England
Pieces: 350
Range: Figure-It-Out
Size: 18" x 24"
Theme: Films-Theatre
Title: King Robert of Sicily