Italy, Kingdom. A Youth of the Lictor (GIL) Member’s Fez, c.1940

This is an extremely well-preserved Italian Youth of the Lictor (Gioventù Italiana del Littorio) member’s fez, constructed of fine black doeskin wool. The top of the fez bears a tassel, constructed of twisted and rolled black threading, the hangs over the sides. The peak is adorned with an aluminum “GIL” insignia, measuring 31 mm (w) x 50 mm (h), while the side bears a gilded bronze stylized “M”, measuring 25 mm (w) x 27 mm (h). Securely stitched into two sides of the fez is a chinstrap constructed of black woven ribbon. The fez is unmarked and measures approximately 170 mm in diameter, with a height of 78 mm. Some fatigue is evident to the chinstrap, but the fez is in an otherwise near extremely fine condition.