Helmet Of The King's Guard, Model 1814.

HELMET OF THE KING'S GENDARMES, 1814 model.
France, 1814, first restoration.
Leather, copper, horsehair
Total height: 39 cm

The helmet is made of black leather, hot-molded. The neck guard is made of black leather, varnished on the outside and waxed on the inside.
The leather visor is slightly pointed at the front; it is edged with a gilt brass band; the inner side, which is green, is waxed.
The front plate is made of stamped, gilt brass, with a relief decoration in both glossy and matte finishes; this decoration depicts, against a background of smoke and lightning, the Coat of Arms of France surmounted by the royal crown, with a ribbon at the bottom bearing the embossed motto of the Gendarmes de la Garde: “QUO JUBET IRATUS JUPITER ”—Wherever angry Jupiter commands.
On either side of the helmet is a flaming thunderbolt flanked by lightning bolts.
The chin straps each consist of a leather chin guard lined with black velvet and covered with 18 scalloped scales; they are finished with tassels made of gilded silver braid. The embossed rosettes feature a lion’s head.
The crest is made of gilded embossed brass and decorated with panels featuring foliage wreaths and lightning bolts. It consists of a mask and two fins tapering backward. At the base of the mask is a gilded brass hook. The crest is topped with a black horsehair plume.
The plume holder is made of gilded brass and has a tubular shape with a square cross-section.
The inner headpiece consists of a black waxed leather headband, topped by a black silk turban.

In exceptional condition.

Ref.: 7623
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON