French Hussar's Belt Buckle and Clasp

A particularly fine 19th century French Empire Hussar's Lion Head gilt bronze ormolu waist belt buckle with a snake clasp. Consisting of two large, circular classical bronze bosettes depicting finely cast and chased Egyptian style lion head masks, each measuring about 41mm in diameter. A very similar version can be seen in Michel Petard's 'Equipements Militaires Tome V de 1804-1815', p49, fig 457. Probably second Empire, circa 1860, but could be earlier.

SOLD