General Officer's Bicorn Hat; First Empire.

General Officer's Bicorn Hat. First Empire. Made of taupe felt, 16 cm high at the front; 24 cm high at the back; 42.5 cm wide between the points; 12.5 cm deep at the front and back. Tricolored passementerie cockade, 10 cm in diameter, silver on the outside, red and blue in the center. The band is composed of three strands of large, round, or "spinach seed" braid in gilt silver passementerie, folded in half around a 2.7 cm diameter gilt brass uniform button, embossed with a fasces surmounted by a plumed helmet with a flag and, in the foreground, an antique shield. The front and back sections are trimmed with a black ostrich plume. Points with tassels of large, gilt bullion. Interior lining consisting of a black waxed leather band with gilt tooling, the leather 9 cm high, surmounted by black silk. The headdress is in good condition, with some minor rubbing, five slits in the felt, and one missing piece. Large cockade with wear; interior lining shows signs of wear. See photos for condition. France. First Empire.