France, Second Empire. A Bicorne Hat of General’s Great Dress, by E. Bidal, Paris, c.1860

A 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 “general’s 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 interior of the bicorne features a creme coloured silk base stamped with manufacturer’s name “E. BIDAL 3 Rue de Richelieu PARIS”, two small mother-of-pearl buttons on each side attach the leather chinstrap, the headband in ocher patent leather, measures 185 mm (w) x 460 mm (l) x 175 mm (h - inclusive of feathers), with an interior circumference of 545 mm, light wear, chinstrap cracking and frail, otherwise intact and in extremely fine condition. 

Contained in its original box of issue, a trapezoidal box constructed of wood with a brown canvas covering the exterior, with a brass handle with lock and key, the interior with a dark red velvet partially padded lid, lid marked CAROULLE & HEBERTBRICARD E. BIDAL Successor 3 Rue Richeleiu PARIS, measures 215 mm (w) x 515 mm (l) x 230 mm (d), panel with with handle has been reattached, exhibiting wear to edges and loss of canvas throughout the exterior, lock not functional, remains in very fine condition.