Ceremonial Uniform of the Cent-Suisses in the Metropoliltan Museum of Art, May 2018

Ceremonial Uniform of the Cent-Suisses,18th century

Date: 18th century

Culture: French

Medium: Silk and velvet (uniform), gold-plated iron (halberd), linen and flax (collar), leather and gold embroidery (gloves)

Dimensions: Halberd: 93 5/16 × 11 5/8 × 4 3/4 in., 130.146oz. (237 × 29.5 × 12 cm, 3.7 kg)
Length (of jacket sleeve): 27 9/16 in. (70 cm)
Length at CB (of jacket): 23 5/8 in. (60 cm)
Width (of jacket waist): 35 7/16 in. (90 cm)
Length (of trousers): 39 3/8 in. (100 cm)
Width (of trouser waist): 33 7/16 in. (85 cm)

Classification: Main dress-Uniform

Credit Line: Swiss National Museum, Zurich (LM-16618.1-.2 [uniform], LM 70591 [halberd], LM 450-c [collar], AG–2419 [gloves], AD–2248 [wig])


This gala uniform for the Cent-Suisses, an elite unit of one hundred Swiss mercenaries charged with protecting the king inside the palace, would have been worn during the king’s public audiences with foreign ambassadors and on other special occasions. Its elaborate design—including a starched and pleated ruff, a doublet and trunk hose richly decorated with braid, and a plumed hat—dated back to the sixteenth century.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/776399