Bullyland tsessebe or assaby or topi ;-)

The first challenge for making a walkaround of these lovely models, is to decide what species they actually are !
In the catalogue they are called Leierantilope in German, and sassaby in English.
Wikipedia describes them here : Common Tsessebe or Sassaby
However these have sub-species, as you can see under the genus Damaliscus  

As we will see further down, the model is far from realistic for any of them, but it could well be a Topi, perhaps a Serengeti-tsessebe  
Here is a picture of one :


I am sure somebody else can tell more, or perhaps even correct me, but as it is so easy to write "Topi", I will use that name below.  

Well, here we go :  Bullyland 63585 Tsessebe and Bullyland 63597 Tsessebe Calf, both manufactured 2003 - 2007  

Two moms and a calf. They were made during a period, where Bullyland , as one of the first, was struggeling to find a paint that was unharmful to the children as well as the environment. This gave some serious problems with peeling, and it is very hard to find these models in perfect condition  


Here you see them together with the other Bullyland antelope from that period, and with the Schleich one for size comparison :


I have two variations, one is glossy and one is matte.


Both have the little "Sun" stamped on them. This was used to help Bullyland keep track of the quality of the paints thay were using. The "Sun" illustrates the non-toxic concept.
Both are further marked a "2", which shows they were made in a mould made for making at least 2 topis at a time, and mine both came from the same part of the mould.


And now a walkaround of the adult. A nice, slender model, with the typical hump on the shoulder.
The back could be a little more slanding towards the rear. But looking at pictures, I get the impression that the females don't sland very much.














The hooves are nice and the legs more slender than many plastic models from that time:




The tail is totally correct wit the funny flat  tip with hair on the sides :


Now to the head.
It can't be denied that it is shaped completely wrong  
Topis and the like have long, skinny faces with the eyes placed incredibly high on the head.
I can imagine the poor designer presenting a correct model to the marketing people, and being sent screeming and kicking back to his work-table to make the head more "cute"    
And it is a very cute head ....for a deer    










Last, just a mini-walkaround of the calf






Thanks for watching

Thanks for showing these amazing pictures. It's one of my favorite Bullyland models ever, still missing the calf though.

Thankyou, Bojan

Yes, - strange that the calf is so hard to find

Lovely and informative walk around, Susanne.

I never knew Bullyland made such antelopes, and the calf looks so cute!
I really enjoy watching these Bullyland topics of your Susanne

I love this presentation! You did a fantastic work with this walk around!
Bullyland section is not so active lately and this brand was responsible for several very interesting releases being sometimes quite innovative.
Topi antelopes pair is a very good example and it deserved such a great topic. Calling it a tsessebe, topi or sassaby is not clear, I've watched several different uses according with the source.
It is always good when figures representing antelopes from the Alcelaphinae subfamily are not only gnus although Bullyland released a blue wildebeest in the same exact year.
When referring to diversity, it is impossible not to talk about Starlux that offered us a red hartebeest a few years before... and keeping the diversity subject, isn't it curious that CollectA is releasing a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] for 2016?
After my long comment, I want to second your comment about the head, you're absolutly right! These creatures have long and laterally flattened heads, eys are high placed and facing to the sides and not to the front as all brands insisted in these days. It is indeed a design strategy and not always lack of ability to replicate. Schleich did the same with the old oryx for instance. They look more attractive to children like that
Though, I love that figure and thanks to you I am a proud owner of one of it.

Picture of a tsessebe female with calf

Thankyou, dear friends, for all the kind words

Thank you for this great topic about a venerable oldie. Due to their odd heads, the genera Damaliscus and Alcelaphus are under-represented in the toy world. Too bad because they are very interresting antelopes.

Bullyland made great things in the past and was very innovative with never made species and new production process and materials.

I hope you will show more of your treasures here Susanne

Thank you Susanne!

One of the best Bullyland figurines ever :)

I have the adult one and a calf, but she is missing a horn. The adult one has the same underbelly as Suzanne's but this one has the # "1" instead of "2". I also do not have a tag on it. I have no need for it (too big in size compared to other brands) if there is an interest in her. Let me know if anyone is interested or if I should put it under trade/sale area of the Forum. The adult is is very good to excellent condition.

I found a bunch of them in the past on a very unlikely place, but at least i bought one new example, and later on i found the very rare calf indeed.
as many of you know my collection is for sale, and here you can find these antelopes, i think for reasonable prices also...
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Hi Willy !!!

Good to see you here

Thank you Suzy dearest!

Really some fantastic models! Thanks for the presentation!!