AN OFFICER`S LANCE CAP OR CZAPKA, 12TH (THE PRINCE OF WALES`S ROYAL) LANCERS, 1846-55 the skull,

AN OFFICER`S LANCE CAP OR CZAPKA, 12TH (THE PRINCE OF WALES`S ROYAL) LANCERS, 1846-55 the skull, front and rear peaks of black leather embellished with gold lace, the centre encircled by a broad band of gold lace with a central scarlet train; the trencher top of rigid cane, 9½in square, covered in dark blue cloth and quartered by gold round-cord; the plume boss encircled by gold bullion and bearing the Royal Cypher VR in gold wire embroidery on a crimson velvet ground; the plate of fluted and gilded metal with scrolls bearing the battle honours PENINSULA and WATERLOO and mounted in silver with the Royal Arms, the Badge of the Prince of Wales and the Sphinx; gilt metal lion-mask chin-chain bosses with a chin-chain of gilt metal interlocking links sewn to a black velvet base; black leather head-band; lining absent. 24cm; 9½in high Provenance Mr Gerald Shapiro Literature W. Y. Carman, Headdresses of the British Army: Cavalry (Sutton, 1968), plate 31.