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an old bell with a bird on it sitting on top of a tablean image of a gold plate with a bird on ita red hat that is sitting on top of a white table
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MILLON

517 - A rare mitre-style cap belonging to a grenadier officer of t…
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Estimate €3,000 - €5,000
Sale commission
Description
A rare mitre-style cap belonging to a grenadier officer of the Cadet Corps, the main body in red cloth (originally green, then red from 1735 onwards) with silver braiding; the curved front plate in gilded brass, stamped with the Russian double-headed imperial eagle centred on the initials “AI” of Empress Anna Ivanovna beneath a crown, surmounting a military trophy (on the left) and a trophy of the arts (on the right), with the Latin motto “MARTE ET ARTE” (“By arms and by arts”) below; a red fabric pocket or ‘tail’ in an ogival shape hanging down at the back and finished with a tassel; in the centre of the lower band was sewn a brass piece in the shape of a flaming grenade, now missing but the outline of which is visible. Crack in the brass, damage and signs of wear. Russia, reign of Anna I Ivanovna, 1735–1740. H. 31 x W. 23 x D. 16 cm. History The Cadet Corps was established by decree of Empress Anna Ivanovna on 29 July 1731, for the sons of the nobility aged between 13 and 15. It officially opened on 17 February 1732 with 56 pupils, but their numbers grew very rapidly, reaching several hundred within the first year. It was housed in the former Menshikov Palace on Vasilyevsky Island in Saint Petersburg. The idea of creating a proper cadet corps is generally attributed to Count Pavel Iagoujinski, Attorney General of the Senate, who was familiar with the military institutions of Prussia and Denmark. The project was taken up and organised by Field Marshal Burkhard Christoph von Münnich, a German engineer and military officer in the service of Russia. In 1732, when the Cadet Corps received its first full uniform, the cadets were organised like a proper training infantry regiment: the majority were fusiliers (musketeers) and wore a tricorn hat; in each company, 13 of the tallest cadets were designated as grenadiers and were given a distinctive headdress: the grenadier’s mitre, directly modelled on that worn by the grenadiers of the Imperial Russian Army. Originally, it replaced the tricorn hat, which was cumbersome when throwing grenades; very quickly, however, it became primarily a symbol of prestige.
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About the sale Russian Art – Mr G’s Collection – Part 3
Auction location
Auction time 09/18/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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