Beschreibung:

German silver-plated steel helmet of the Household Cavalry with gilt trimmings of acanthus leaf scrolls on both front and rear visor. Front plate with Queen Victoria's crown above a silver Garter star mounted with the oval gilt Garter pierced with Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense enameled in translucent blue. Within the Garter, a cross in red translucent glass enamel, with all the components mounted on a rococo shield bordered with laurel leaves and oak leaves. Atop the helmet is a gilt foliated socket and base to hold a horsehair plume and plume rod. The plume, red in color, has a "shaving brush" shape and a falling length of 18" and has a gilded rosette top piece of regimental pattern. Rosette ear bosses are of the same pattern as the plume top rosette, and fasten interlocking, equal width, brass rings on a continuous chinstrap, lined in leather. The interior has a leather sweatband and drawstring cloth liner. Visors are lined with leather. The helmets of this 1st and 2nd Lifeguards and those of the Royal Horseguards, of this pattern, differed only in the color of the horsehair plume...white for the Lifeguards. Amalgamated with the 1st Royal Dragoons in 1969, they are known today as the Guards of Buckingham Palace. Exceptional, irreplaceable asset to any collection. The finest and rarest example in a private collection. Condition: Patina, tarnish and polish residue commensurate with its age. A museum quality piece.