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 gilded brass band; the inner side, which is green, is waxed.
The front plate is made of stamped, gilded brass, featuring a relief design with both polished and matte finishes; this decoration depicts, against a background of smoke and lightning, the Arms of France surmounted by the royal crown, with a ribbon at the bottom bearing the motto of the Gendarmes de la Garde in relief: “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 stamped brass and decorated with panels featuring foliage corollas 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 adorned with a black horsehair brush.
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 with a black silk turban.

In exceptional condition.

Ref.: 7623
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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