Rare old theatre production, from the 1920s/30s of a French bonnet de police d'artillerie in Napoleonic style, from 1850-1900

Beautifully made bonnet de police (field or quarter cap) in Napoleonic style, based on the model worn by artillerymen of the First French Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte (c. 1804–1815).

The cap is made of dark blue wool cloth with a bright red flamme and tassel, richly decorated with red decorative stitching and trimmings. On the front, the classic artillery symbol, the flaming grenade, is carefully crafted from red felt. The long point (flamme) is trimmed with red cord and ends in a wool tassel, in keeping with Napoleonic tradition.

The interior is lined with ochre-colored fabric. The handcrafted finish and materials used suggest it was made in the second half of the 19th century (c. 1850–1900, theater production), presumably for a veterans' association or theater inspired by the uniforms depicted in the paintings of artists like Charles Brun (1825–1908).

A unique and decorative Napoleonic-style collector's item, representative of the rich uniform tradition of the French army during the First Empire. This is a rare find.

Dimensions
Total length: 62cm
Width 28cm (measured flat)

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