Two pieces with imperial connections took the top honours during the November 5-23 sale at Hermann Historica (25% buyer’s premium) in Munich.
First up was one of only 40 helmets made for the palace guard during the short reign of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico (right).
In 1864 he had travelled to Mexico at the behest of Napoleon III and declared himself emperor. During the six-week voyage across the Atlantic, Maximilian designed all the uniforms for his palace guard, including this partly gold-plated helmet, surmounted by a Mexican eagle.