France, Second Empire. A Bicorne Hat of General’s Great Dress, by E. Bidal, Paris, c.1860 consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac reverse with raised initial institution

reverse with raised initial institution date of “1813”

29mm (w) x 34

the reverse with double claw prongs and a catch

58 mm x 116 mm

France, Second Empire. A Bicorne Hat of General’s Great Dress, by E. Bidal, Paris, c.1860 consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac reverse with raised initial institutionA full dress model of the 1852 regulation of General Great Dress, in black felt (Flemish style), bordered by a wide golden braid known as the generals edge with a scalloped crested edge, bearing branches and fruit in the weaving, an ostrich feather is sewn into each exterior edge along the top of the bicorne, a braid of three matte gold twists arcs along the right side doubling around the General Officers button, overlapping a tri colour cockade, the