BLACK MUSKETEER BODICE (2nd company) OF THE KING'S MILITARY HOUSEHOLD, model 1814, Restoration period. 29234
Made of dark blue wool, edged with a double silver braid woven in the style of the uniform braids of the corps: an outer braid measuring 1.5 cm wide and an inner braid wider at 2.8 cm.
The sleeve openings and the bottom of the bodice are adorned with a dark blue wool ruff bordered with a folded gold braid stitched along the outer edge. The ruff measures 4 cm in width, with the visible width of the braid being 0.8 cm.
In the center of the front and back sections, a large gold embroidery of the Mousquetaires' cross of the Second Company is sewn, composed of a silver lame cross bordered by a frame of gilded silver threads, each end finished with a fleur-de-lis made of gilded silver threads, and each angle adorned with five gilded silver flame motifs bordered by a embroidered silver thread. The embroidered cross measures 25.5 cm in height and width.
On the left chest at the front, a thread is sewn for attaching decorations.
A shoulder strap made of blue wool covered with a silver braid is placed on each shoulder, with a small uniform button sewn near the neck.
Grey silk lining on the inside.
This bodice closes on the left side with 6 steel clasps on the front and an equal number of hooks of the same metal on the back, as well as a row of 5 buttonholes with wooden buttons covered in blue wool. The right shoulder also closes with 4 similar clasps. The left shoulder strap is sewn onto the front and attached to the back with a clasp and metal hook. A buttonhole is made on the first braid (1.5 cm) on the left at the bottom.
France.
Restoration period.
Very good state of preservation, with some moth holes and restored tears, grey silk lining showing slight signs of wear.
NOTE:
Mousquetaire bodices are extremely rare. To date, I have inventoried four specimens, two in the collections of the Army Museum at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, one from the former DENIS collection, and the specimen presented in this description.
Reference :
29234