Kingdom of Hannover Ceremonial Shabraque and Pistol Holsters from the Estate of Field Marshal Ernst August I of Hannover
Circa 1830/40. Highly elegant and exquisitely crafted saddle cloth and pistol holsters of leather, the display sides adorned with red cloth, the upper edge trimmed in morocco leather, the cloth decorated with rich gold embroidery, sequins and bullion thread, the shabraque at the corners with large embroidered crowns, on the pistol holsters these at the center. On the underside the pieces lined with brown linen cloth. Condition 2.
The shabraque and pistol holsters originate from the “Welfen Auction” by Sotheby's in 2005, in which the personal possessions of the House of Hannover were auctioned.
The shabraque and matching pistol holsters represent a unique piece; no other example of this type is known. For the King, particularly high-quality workmanship and the most valuable materials were employed.
From 1760 to 1820, George III was in personal union Elector (later King) of Hannover and King of England. His son Ernst August I (*1771, † 1851) entered the Hanoverian Army in 1791 and rose rapidly through its ranks. During the First Coalition War (1793-97) he served in Flanders as Commander of the 1st Cavalry Brigade in the combined army consisting of British, Hanoverian and Austrian troops. As early as 1798 he was promoted to Lieutenant General and in 1803 to General. During the occupation of Hannover from 1803 to 1813 he served in the British Army. In 1813 he was present at the Battle of Leipzig and was appointed Field Marshal on November 26, 1813. It can be assumed that he later received the magnificent shabraque as a symbol of his outstanding status as Field Marshal.
The shabraque and pistol holsters originate from the “Welfen Auction” by Sotheby's in 2005, in which the personal possessions of the House of Hannover were auctioned.
The shabraque and matching pistol holsters represent a unique piece; no other example of this type is known. For the King, particularly high-quality workmanship and the most valuable materials were employed.
From 1760 to 1820, George III was in personal union Elector (later King) of Hannover and King of England. His son Ernst August I (*1771, † 1851) entered the Hanoverian Army in 1791 and rose rapidly through its ranks. During the First Coalition War (1793-97) he served in Flanders as Commander of the 1st Cavalry Brigade in the combined army consisting of British, Hanoverian and Austrian troops. As early as 1798 he was promoted to Lieutenant General and in 1803 to General. During the occupation of Hannover from 1803 to 1813 he served in the British Army. In 1813 he was present at the Battle of Leipzig and was appointed Field Marshal on November 26, 1813. It can be assumed that he later received the magnificent shabraque as a symbol of his outstanding status as Field Marshal.
