Russia, Imperial. A 13th Erivan Grenadier Regiment Caucasian Corps Officer’s Papakha

(Папаха). A rare and very well-preserved 13th Erivan Grenadier Regiment Caucasian Corps Officer’s papakha, constructed of a pressed and reinforced wool shell. The exterior is fully lined along the side walls with a layer of thick black lamb’s wool. The crown is topped by a dome which rises approximately 5 cm from rim to apex, and which is fully lined with blue wool. A cross executed in red piping overlays the dome, with the centre inset by a brass stud wrapped in twisted and rolled bullion wire. A wide gold bullion wire tresse trims the base of the dome, with a partially silvered cockade pinned in place at the front. Directly below the cockade, two additional insignia are pinned in place, including a gilded brass banner bearing a depressed and blackened inscription of “ЗА ОТЛИЧІЕ” (“FOR EXCELLENCE”, situated above a gilded brass Imperial Russian coat of arms. The interior is fully encompassed by a mid 20th century replacement grey silk liner held taut by a central button, while a brown leather sweatband surrounds the lower edge. Unmarked, the papakha measures approximately 21 cm in diameter, with a height of 12.5 cm (inclusive of dome). Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include the detachment of an adornment formerly held in place by the dome stud’s wire, some tarnishing of the brass insignia, and moderate material fatigue and soiling to the sweatband and interior liner, respectively. This scarce papakha, in a colour scheme most likely used by a member of the Terek Cossack Host, remains in a near extremely fine condition.