Shako For National Guard Officer, Model 1848, France, Second Republic

A fine 1848 pattern shako belonging to a grenadier officer of the National Guard, dating from the Second French Republic, which lasted from November 1848 until the establishment of the Second Empire in December 1852.

The body is made of cardboard covered in felt. It is decorated on the front with a tricolor cockade, a silvered copper plate bearing a rooster on a globe, flags with the motto "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," fasces, a banner marked "French Republic," and a handshake, a symbol of the French people's unity after the 1848 revolution and the abdication of King Louis-Philippe.

The top of the shako is edged with a silver bullion officer's braid, and the bottom with a velvet band known as "bourdalou."
The visor is made of black patent leather on the outside and green on the inside.
Leather chin straps decorated with silvered copper scales and rosettes bearing a grenade (identifying a grenadier regiment). Leather officer's lining decorated with a gold frieze.
A double red pompom (the color of grenadier regiments) surmounts this shako.
A collector piece in superb condition. Very slight wear and the bourdalou's black color partially faded.
A fine example of a turbulent period in the history of the French Republic.
Dimensions:
Total height: 26 cm
Height at the front (without the pompom): 18 cm