An American officer's chapeau de bras by Horstmann & Sons with original box
circa 1843-51
Tall chapeau of black beaverskin, the front adorned with black silk tape having narrow embroidered floral borders, below a large black silk cockade set with a broad band of silver tape lace with an 1832 pattern die-struck brass eagle and a silvered infantry officer's button. Corners with original silver bullion tassels. Back set with silver bullion and sequined seven-pointed star. Black leather sweatband. White silk lining with printed maker's label Wm. H. Horstmann & Sons,No. 51 North Third St./Philadelphia. White ostrich plume panache. With original black pasteboard box.
Condition: Fine. Showing some staining and some fading to beaverskin. Box with tears.
See Illustration