Greetings …
Recently while doing some research related to my Shiny Napoleonics I came across these interesting and unusual etchings…
They appear to show the great duke wearing what is possible an unusual form of sombrero…
I have never really seen the likes of this before but I understand that ‘local’ headwear came in many shapes and sizes…
On further reading I discovered the autobiography of a certain Corporal “Drinky” More…*
He states that the good Duke sported this headwear quite often as he felt that the unusual shape of the brim covered his impressive nose admirably…
He also adds that he was prone to wear a similar hat ( on an occasional Saturday night) after he returned home to Scotland…
His friends apparently christened it a Glasgow Sombrero…
Here are my efforts at reflecting this unusual form of dress…
The figure is a Lamming Staff officer… I used this because I only have one model of Wellington and and I would rather hang on to him and use him as he is.
* It is said that Drinky More only sobered up twice between the start of the Peninsular War and the Battle of Waterloo…
He took part in nearly ever action and battle… not necessarily in any fighting condition… His comrades once said that he moved so erratically that the chance of a musket ball hitting him was almost zero…
His autobiography was almost certainly written by his landlady and at the time was described as utter balderdash…. And badly written balderdash at that.
All the best. Aly
That's....absolutely.....brilliant Aly!
ReplyDeleteI can see the serious button counters reaching for the reference books.....as well as the pichforks and flaming torches....☺
Neil
Thank you Neil…
DeleteThe evidence is all there and surely can’t be argued with 🤣
All the best. Aly
Interesting stuff. If you are looking for further tweaks, I recall that in my days as a student in Edinburgh the equestrian statue of the DofW outside Register House, at the east end of Princes Street, was a favourite target for the student community, who used to paint the horse's genitalia a contrasting colour. It was suggested at the time that the City Council had a specialist department with a can of suitable paint to convert it back at short notice. I think someone on the council would worry that the member in question might gradually become overscale with multiple coats of paint. Let us not, as they say, go there.
ReplyDeleteI believe a similar thing happened to Greyfriars Bobby 😳
DeleteAll the best. Aly
You captured the headgear brilliantly, Aly!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Jonathan…
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Lol...I have seen many images of the Glasgow statue so adorned!
ReplyDeleteA classic Regency look in my opinion.😁
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Brilliant and a standard headgear on many a statue in student cities methinks!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Steve…
DeleteIt is all the rage…
All the best. Aly
Priceless, Priceless.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joe…
DeleteAll the best. Aly
A topping piece of historical research and implementation in miniature, I take my hat off to you Sir!
ReplyDeleteIt is always a pleasure when research pays off…
DeleteAll the best. Aly
LOL, absolutely brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ray…
DeleteAll the best. Aly
One suspects Drinky has been living up to his name!
ReplyDeleteDrinky is what Drinky does 🤣
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Another legacy from the decade that brought us Madonna: I like this one better.
ReplyDeleteAny one can do pointy boobs… but a good pointy hat takes real skill…😁
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Brilliant, every army should have the Duke attired as such!
ReplyDeleteThank you Donnie…
DeleteI totally agree with you…
All the best. Aly
The French were right - The Iron Duke was a barbarian.
ReplyDeleteCone On The Barbarian.
Nice one ….🤣😂🤣😂🤣
DeletePersonally I think it's a load of bollards.
ReplyDeleteHe He! 🤣
DeleteHaha excellent!
ReplyDeleteThank you Warburton…
DeleteAll the best. Aly
I’m quite shocked and have put in a call to the ‘cones hotline’, am still on hold…
ReplyDeleteYou may have to hang up and … Re- Conect…
DeleteIt’s a busy time of year for them… 😁
Clearly the higher the rank the higher the hat, I can't imagine how big Napoleon's would be.... ;o)
ReplyDeleteThe Eiffel Tower is reckoned to be a good representation of the dimensions of The Emperor’s cone shaped hattery… 🗼🗼🗼
Delete😁
I am lost for words though it reminds me of Wolverhampton's 'Man on a Hoss' in Queen's Square.
ReplyDelete“ I am lost for words”…. 😱😱😱🤣
DeleteDoes your ‘Man on a Hoss’ wear a cone ?
If not… Why not?
All the best. Aly
Ah the first iteration of the coneheads!
ReplyDeleteThe Duke was always a trendsetter 😁
DeleteThat’s a very interesting and unusual looking figure. I am in awe just looking at it. Avant- Garde. Warm wishes - Quinn
ReplyDeleteThank you Quinn…
DeleteAvant-Garde… I like that 😁
I was going for “Silly” 🤣
All the best. Aly
Ha ha! Love the figure. But I'm sure the Duke would have been utterly scandalised by his statue's "decoration"!
ReplyDeleteThank you David…
DeleteI reckon having the Duke scandalised is more than half the fun…
All the best. Aly
Fantastic work Aly, the Duke always had a cone on his head every time I passed through Glasgow in the 80' - 90's.
ReplyDeleteWillz.
Thank you Willz…
DeleteI think it suits him 😁
All the best. Aly
Lovely stuff Aly, I guess the only challenge is a hat like that in combat would be a bit of a shot magnet !
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt…
DeleteMaybe he had a special campaign cover made for it 🤣
All the best. Aly