Antique Greek Silver - Plated Copper Military Gorget Pectoral 18th 19th Century Greece

Antique 18th- 19th century, Greek , large, hand-hammered, chiseled  and engraved silver-plated copper, extremely ornated military Gorget -Pectoral (with a rimmed edge), upper loops pierced with holes for a suspension cord.

In the center, the Gorget is bearing a hand-embossed (repousse) in relief and hand-chiseled two-headed eagle flanked by creepers' branches. The eagle holds the scepter in its right claws and the orb in its left claws, which personifies the royal power.

A double-headed eagle as an Imperial coat of arms is associated with the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine). Using it represented the Empire's dominion over the Near East and West.

A Gorget is a metal neckpiece, lunette, or crescent-shaped, originally steel armor to protect the throat and upper chest.

During the 16th – 17th-century, the Gorget served as an armor chest plate that covered most of the upper chest.

In the mid-seventeenth century, it changed its shape and application until it no longer functioned as protective coverings.

Officers wore crescent-shaped metal Gorgets in most European armies as a badge of rank and a sign that they were on duty; chains or ribbons suspended them.

MEASUREMENTS:

21.5 cm x 19.5 cm. (8.46 inches x 7.68 inches)

WEIGHT:105 grams

CONDITION: Age and use visible, dark patina, a few tiny dings at the edges, slight wear of the silver finish but overall, in good condition.