INFANTRY SHAKO PLATE FROM THE MILITIA OF THE CANTON OF APPENZELL AUSSERRHODEN, Early 19th century. 11986

SHAKO PLATE OF INFANTRY FROM THE MILITIA OF THE CANTON OF APPENZELL RHODES-EXTÉRIEURES, Early 19th century. 11986

Stamped brass plate in a diamond shape, H 11.1 cm, width 9.9 cm, bordered by a double molded relief strip with the letters "A. V. R." stamped in relief in the center.

Perfect condition.

Switzerland.

Early 19th century.

NOTE:
During the French Revolution, Switzerland raised military companies in Zurich, Glatt, Valais, Schwyz, and Appenzell-Rhodes Extérieures, the latter consisting of 431 men, but the canton would be occupied by the French.

HISTORY OF THE CANTON:
The canton of Appenzell Rhodes-Extérieures derives its name from the former canton of Appenzell from which it originated. Appenzell, the village that gave its name to the country, is mentioned for the first time in 1071 as Abbacella, then in 1223 as Abbatiscella, and finally as Abtenzelle, meaning "the retreat of the abbot," referring to a secondary residence of the abbot of Saint Gall.
The canton of Appenzell was divided into "rhodes," subdivisions that played a judicial and economic role. When the canton was split into two half-cantons in 1597, Appenzell Rhodes-Extérieures was formed from the six rhodes of the former Trogen bailiwick, predominantly Protestant.
In German, the official language of the canton, it is called Appenzell Ausserrhoden; in Italian, Appenzello Esterno; in Romansh, Appenzell Dador.
The Appenzell region began to be colonized in the 7th century along the Glatt River. The monastery of St. Gall greatly influenced the lives of the local population. Herisau is first mentioned in 907. The name Appenzell appears in 1071.
The canton has seen a number of battles over the centuries, including the Battle of Vögelinsegg in 1403 and the Battle of Stoss in 1405.
In 1513, Appenzell joined the Old Swiss Confederation as the 13th canton. In 1597, the canton was divided for religious reasons into two half-cantons: Appenzell Rhodes-Extérieures was the Protestant part, and Appenzell Rhodes-Intérieures the Catholic part.
Between 1798 and 1803, during the Helvetic Republic, the canton was integrated into the Canton of Säntis. It was reinstated after the Act of Mediation.
The first cantonal constitution was adopted in 1834 and amended in 1876 and 1906. The construction of numerous railway lines between 1875 and 1913 supported the local industry; the canton's population peaked in 1910 with 57,973 inhabitants (compared to 53,200 inhabitants in 2001).
In 1934, Johannes Baumann became the first citizen of Appenzell Rhodes-Extérieures to become a federal councilor. Women's right to vote and eligibility was introduced locally in 1972, but only in 1989 at the cantonal level; two women were first elected to the government in 1994. The Landsgemeinde was abolished in 1997.

CANTON'S COAT OF ARMS:
Its coat of arms depicts the bear of the monk Saint Gall, who founded the Canton of Saint Gall and a residence in Appenzell.
Appenzell means "the abbot's residence."
A legend tells that he met a bear and told it to bring him wood and then leave.
On the coat of arms, VR stands for "Usser Rhoden" (Rhodes-Extérieures).