Hussar Officer's Shako, Circa 1813. First Empire.

Hussar officer's shako, circa 1813. First Empire. The body is made of cardboard covered in black felt, 22 cm high, edged at the top with a 3.5 cm wide black silk velvet braid and at the bottom with a 3 cm wide black silk velvet band, with a gilt brass tightening buckle at the back. The crown is made of patent leather, 25.5 cm in diameter. The visor is made of black patent leather on top and green waxed leather underneath, edged with a gilt brass band folded over the outer edge in a rounded shape. The visor is 6 cm wide. A large tricolored braid cockade (scarlet, silver, blue), 9.5 cm in diameter, is sewn onto the front of the body, with a gilt brass half-bell button sewn in the center. This button secures a gold braid trim. The chin straps, each composed of a black velvet chin band covered with a series of 15 gilt brass scales, terminate in a gilt brass rosette stamped in its center with a star and bordered by a raised molding (the two rosettes are different). A hemispherical pompom in twisted gold braid with large ruffles. The 6 cm wide tan leather lining is missing its silk trim. Very good condition, slight wear and rubbing to the black velvet braid. France. First Empire; circa 1813.