Stunning 1840s Early Victorian Era Indian Army Officer's Ball-Top Shako

This is a stunning early Victorian era Indian Army officer's ball-top shako with a gilt brass and green enameled helmet plate that reads BUXAR GUZERATT III. The hat is altogether commanding, with a nearly 17" ostrich plume adorning its top. A band of gilt brass and bronze decorative scales radiating out from a floral button and ending in large rosettes forms a semi-circle around the front of the hat and is held in place by a buckled strap.

Circa 1840s.

Approximately 7-5/8" in height (plume extends roughly another 17") and 11" in width across the top.

Hat: felt with bullion embroidered ribbon; helmet plate: gilt and silver-plated brass with green enamel; decorative scales: gilt brass/bronze; chin strap: velvet-wrapped leather; brim and top: leather; lining: cloth; plume base: gilt brass; plume: ostrich feathers; brass fasteners.

Strap with buckle around hat; plume detaches from base; helmet plate attached with cotter pins; rosettes attached with brads.

OLIPHANTS COCKSPUR STREET LONDON on tag.

This is from a Great Britain collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. CON-JMB-VEEJJX11 LHEJJX4/11 RET6/11

7 (Very Fine): The hat has small spots of light to medium wear, especially around the band and on the interior, and there is some handsome tarnish to the bullion. There has been one repair: the cross on the helmet plate was reattached (please see last photo - above).

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.