Russian Imperial Guard Helmet

Helmet of an officer of the Tsar’s Guard, dating between the late 19th and early 20th century. It is made of tombac, an alloy of copper and zinc, which gives it the characteristic yellow colour. It has a chin strap, decorated with metal plates, to secure the helmet under the chin. In the middle it bears the eight-pointed Star of St. Andrew, which presents, within a blue background, the gold inscription “For Faith and Loyalty”. At the centre of the star there is a black, double-headed crowned eagle bearing a blue St. Andrew’s Cross, in the shape of an X. The impressive crown of the helmet consists of a double-headed eagle, from the crown of which the cross has been broken.