FRANCE, Second Empire - Lot 181

FRANCE, Second Empire Imperial Guard Guides officer's full dress gibbet, model 1854. Black leather case with gilded brass sides highlighted with leaf frieze. Pattelette with desilvered brass plate, centered with a crowned N on a sunburst background, and edged with a laurel-leaf rush and punctuated with crossed ribbons in stamped gilded brass. Green leather interior. Green morocco banderole covered with silver passementerie and three fine green silk braids, with silvered or gilded brass trimmings. Case dimensions: 11 x 16.5 x 4.5 cm. A few knocks to the box, notably to the backstrap; wear and cracks to the leather (back of backstrap faded in color); wear, soiling and some oxidation to the banner (on the upper part); ornament chain missing.