Bulgaria, Kingdom. A Military Visor Cap Cockade, c.1915

(Tsarstvo Balgariya Voenna Kokarda) a multi-piece cockade constructed in the form of a tricolour rosette representing the national colours of Bulgaria with concentric rings of white, green, and red surrounding a central metal badge bearing the crowned Bulgarian lion emblem of the Tsardom period, fabricated in stamped and gilded metal with cloth backing elements typical of early twentieth century visor cap insignia, the reverse retaining its original attachment hardware for mounting to a military visor cap, measuring 41.2 mm (h) x 31.5 mm (w), showing light wear to the metal surfaces and minor age toning consistent with wartime manufacture and service use, in very fine condition.

Footnote: The Bulgarian military cockade of the Tsardom of Bulgaria (1878–1946) incorporated the national tricolour of white, green, and red, symbolizing peace, the agricultural wealth of the Bulgarian lands, and the courage and sacrifice of the Bulgarian people. During the First World War (1915–1918) Bulgaria entered the conflict on the side of the Central Powers under Tsar Ferdinand I, and cockades of this pattern were worn on the visor caps of officers and enlisted men of the Bulgarian Army. The crowned lion device represented the authority of the Bulgarian monarchy and the heraldic symbol of the Bulgarian state, remaining a central element of Bulgarian military insignia until the monarchy was abolished in 1946.