Helmet And Cuirass Of A Cuirassier Officer Of The Royal Guard, Model 1825, France, Restoration Period

HELMET AND CUIRASS OF A CUIRASSIER OFFICER OF THE ROYAL GUARD, MODEL 1825, RESTORATION PERIOD. HELMET, MODEL 1825: Silver-plated copper skull, silver-plated copper visor and neck guard encircled by a gilt brass band folded over the outer edge. Visor lined with green leather, neck guard lined with black leather. Gilt brass band stamped with a flaming bomb, the body of which bears three fleurs-de-lis in relief, framed by laurel and oak branches, all on a sandblasted background. Stamped gilt brass crest, composed of a mask stamped at the bottom with the Arms of France surmounted by a Medusa head in relief on a sandblasted background; Two wings adorned with a decreasing series of 13 gadroons framed by pearls and drops separated by acanthus leaves, on a sandblasted background. Bear caterpillar (most often a distinguishing mark of senior officers). Gilt brass chin straps in the shape of interlaced and chased figure eights mounted on an iron chin strap covered with fine black cloth; gilt brass rosette stamped with a radiant sun on a sandblasted background, attached to the helmet by means of a chased and gilt-headed screw. Gilt brass plume holder. Interior lining of black leather cut into a gilt-stamped pattern on the outer edge. In perfect condition, retaining all its gilding and silvering. CUIRASS, MODEL 1816: Made of steel, composed of a backplate and a breastplate. Breastplate edged with 34 brass studs. In the center, a gilt copper motif depicts the crowned arms of France and Navarre against a radiant sunburst background (H 21 cm, W 17 cm). Two nails are riveted at chest level to attach the shoulder straps of the backplate (these nails have been relocated; this is a modification from the First Empire to accommodate the central motif). The backplate is edged with 28 brass nails and fitted at the top with two shoulder straps. The straps are attached to the backplate by a large, embossed, gilt brass lion's head; they are made of a chain with gilt brass links in the shape of interlaced figure eights. They terminate in a gilt brass lock, decorated in relief with a large fleur-de-lis, with red leather tabs whose edges are hot-molded in relief (this type of cuirass is rare, and the shoulder pieces are never lined with leather, a characteristic found on almost all existing cuirasses; those of this model lined with morocco leather have a double chain in the form of interlaced rings). At the bottom, a red morocco leather belt embroidered with two framing strips of gilt silver thread is fastened by two brass screws on each side. Perfect condition. France. Second Restoration, reign of Louis XVIII (1816-1825)