Hammer

£1,500

Imperial Austrian Dragoon Officer's helmet. Exceptionally fine scarce example: the black metal skull with a narrow gilt edging and mounted with a massive and ornate gilt Arms of Austria, the double-headed Eagle bearing the cypher of the Emperor Franz Josef on its breastplate. High gilt crest, with burnished top edge and chequered sides bearing a large Lion and Serpent. Tapered foliate gilt chin-scales with leather backing, attached to the skull by lion’s head bosses. The internal headband of roan leather, with two-piece lining of cream silk above. A minor dent to front of comb. Generally VGC. See Lot 514 for associated tunic.