Notice Regarding the Sale of Material from Endange… Read more

AN OFFICER'S HELMET OF THE COMPAGNIE DE GENDARMERIE DES VOYAGES, CHASSES ET RESIDENCES DU ROI 1814 MODEL

1814-15

Details

AN OFFICER'S HELMET OF THE COMPAGNIE DE GENDARMERIE DES VOYAGES, CHASSES ET RESIDENCES DU ROI 1814 MODEL
1814-15
High skull of silver-plated copper with gilt edging and mounts including the very ornate comb with bearskin crest and horsehair mane (mane replaced), leopardskin band, without a helmet-plate, but with front label-band of gilt copper with title raised in relief COMPAGNIE DE GENDARMERIE DES VOYAGES, CHASSES ET RESIDENCES DU ROI, and large lion's mask side-bosses with incomplete chinscales (backing-leather renewed, most plates detached and missing, lining replaced, side plume-holder missing)

Special notice

Notice Regarding the Sale of Material from Endangered Species. Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country

Lot Essay

This unit was established by King Louis XV in 1772, with responsibility for royal palaces, estates and hunts, and for the security of roads on which the king travelled. During the revolution of July 1830, the Company remained loyal to Charles X, and escorted him to Cherbourg.
During "The Hundred Days" of Napoleon's resumed rule, the front-plates of such helmets were officially removed. At the same time the "label-bands" were to be changed to ones worded GENDARMERIE D'ELITE; this is the only example known with its original label-band

More from The Russell B. Aitken Collection of Silver Trophies, Vintage

View All