DIVISION GENERAL'S HARNESS, model 20 Thermidor Year VI (August 7, 1798), Directory.

DIVISION GENERAL'S HARNESS, model 20 Thermidor Year VI (August 7, 1798), Directory.

Harness in scarlet morocco entirely covered with scarlet cloth richly embroidered with gilt silver threads, cannetilles and sequins with gilt brass buckles.
It consists of a banner 7.2 cm wide by approximately 1.70 m long, ending in a gusset-shaped part 11.5 cm wide and 21.5 cm high.
The banner is embroidered with alternating fleurons and winged thunderbolts with lightning bolts of Zeus and Jupiter; it is bordered by two friezes of foliage framed by a rod on either side.
The pocket is intended to receive the sword of the general officers; it is similarly embroidered on the banner with friezes of foliage. At the base of the banner, a golden brass rooster's head is sewn to it (here missing); there is practiced an opening whose upper part on the outside is embroidered with the head of the Nemean lion, below a winged thunderbolt of Jupiter and floral friezes. At the lower end, the gusset features the bottom of the banner finished with a gilded brass plate 4.7 cm high x 7.4 cm wide; the plate is decorated with flat moldings with a horizontally striated bottom. At the back of the pocket, an oval brass buckle 8 cm high is riveted with two barbs for adjusting the length of the banner.

France.
Directory.
Very good condition, with usual oxidation of the gilt silver trimmings.

NOTE :
The baldrics of generals of the Directory and the Empire are of the greatest rarity. They are described in the book "REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE UNIFORMS OF GENERALS AND OFFICERS OF THE STAFF OF THE ARMIES OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC", Paris, Ballard 1798.
The harness is described there on page 3, article 2:
“General-in-Chief - The harness is white background, red border; for the drawing and for the way of fitting the harness: see board Ire. The harness is held on the right shoulder by a braided braid in gold thread, stopped by a small button.
General of division - The generals of division wear the harness, red background, embroidered on scarlet or morocco, it is also constructed in the same way as that of the generals in chief. See Plate Ire. The embroidery of the harness conforms to the drawing plate 11, figure 5.
Brigadier General - The Brigadier General wears the celestial blue baldric. It is built on the model of that of the general-in-chief, plate I”. »