HELMET OF THE 2nd COMPANY OF MOUSQUETAIRES OF THE KING'S MILITARY HOUSEHOLD, KNOWN AS THE BLACK MOUSQUETAIRES, 1814 MODEL, RESTORATION.
The helmet (H 15 cm) and fittings are made of copper plated with silver, and it is round in shape, unlike the helmets of the First Empire which are known as "à la minerve".
The lower part of the helmet at the front is adorned with a band framed by prominent and striated moldings with the motto "ALTERIUS JOVIS ALTERA" in relief on a sanded background (The traits of another Jupiter), H 2.3 cm on the sides, 4.5 cm at the front.
At the back, the band is similar but without the motto, adorned with leafy scrolls (H 2.3 cm on the sides and 3.3 cm in the center).
Front plate in the shape of a musketeer's cross, 15 cm in diameter. It consists of two parts: one in gilded brass representing the outer molding of the cross ending in fleur-de-lis, the other in silver-plated copper representing the sanded background of the cross, with the four corners adorned with five flames distinguishing the second company of Musquetaires.
Visor, round in shape (width 5.5 cm), made of silver-plated copper lined with green morocco leather with a silver-plated brass rim (width 7 mm) folded over the outer edge and riveted at four points. The neck guard is made of silver-plated copper bordered with a similar rim to the visor (but riveted in two places) and lined with brown waxed morocco leather.
Chin straps consist of a chin strap (approximately 18 cm long, maximum width 5.4 cm and minimum 1.8 cm) leather covered with black velvet and covered with 19 silver scales alternately cut into 4 and 3 scallops (leather and restored velvet). They are finished with a fringed silver passementerie tassel (at the back); a rosette in silver-plated copper representing a bundle of ten thunderbolts (H 8.1 cm, width 7 cm), with a Minerva helmeted head fastened to the center of the rosette to attach the chin straps to the helmet (H 2.2 cm, width 1.5 cm).
Crest composed of two fins and a mask. Each fin is stamped on both sides with a series of 16 diminishing panels towards the back, embossed with an acanthus leaf and an arrow, the upper edges being cut into curved scallops, the base of the fins is cut into scallops and attached to the helmet by four conical-headed screws on each side. Height of the fins 12.2 cm; at the front, the mask is similarly decorated with a cloud at the top from which two lightning bolts descend, mask height 11.5 cm, width at the top 6 cm, width at the bottom 6.2 cm, width in the center 3.5 cm). The mask is attached to the helmet with the top of the front cross using a threaded rod.
Mane made of black horsehair, cut in a brush-like style (H 7 cm) covering the entire top of the crest and ending at the back with a floating tail (approximately 50 cm long).
Interior liner with a leather band topped with black silk.
Condition close to new.
France.
Restoration.
Reference :
12017