Netherlands, Kingdom. An Inter-War Period Dutch Artillery Officer’s Kepi

(Artillerie Kepie). This is an extremely well-preserved inter-war period Dutch Army Artillery officer’s kepi, constructed of a smooth black wool with reinforced cardboard shell. The peak is adorned with a cockade composed of five layers of braided gold thread completing in a central orange-threaded oval. The cockade is held in place at the top by a hook that is fastened into the liner of the kepi, and at the bottom by a gilded magnetic metal button. Fitted into the same pouch is a straw adornment, wrapped at the bottom with an orange woven threaded ring, secured onto a magnetic metal loop. The kepi is flanked by bronzed magnetic metal buttons, holding in place a black leather chinstrap complete with magnetic metal buckle, which rests upon the visor when not in use. The visor itself is constructed of lacquered black vulcanfibre, painted light brown on the obverse. There is a single band of woven red piping ringing the upper circumference of the kepi, indicating that the wearer was part of the Dutch Army Artillery. At the bottom, the kepi is ringed by a band of braided gold thread piping, woven into an ornate knot at the back. The kepi bears dual magnetic metal ventilation holes on the right and left sides, each fitted with a screen and fastened into the interior liner with a magnetic metal butterfly-style clip. The interior has a 35 mm-wide brown leather sweatband securely stitched into the lining. The kepi is unmarked and measures approximately 178 mm (w) x 245 mm (l) x 130 mm (h). There is some age-appropriate wear to the leather features, but the kepi presents in an otherwise extremely fine condition.