France. Piemont. Soutiens de l'Independence Italienne

1860. Rare silk scarf commemorating the alliance between the French and Piemontese during the period of the 2nd war of Independence (1859-1861).

The central panel depicts a French and Piemont soldier with arms linked, holding rifles. One is dressed in a uniform of pantaloons, short jacket and a turban; the other a more conventional military coat, double breasted and belted, with a hat with jaunty feathers. Above them is an eagle with a crown above its head, and flags, the French flag being the only recognizable one. Beneath them are branches of olive and oak in a decorative curving border. Beneath the branches are the words "Soutiens de l'Independence Italienne". This square of the scarf is cream and is the image is beautifully lithographed. The image panel is approx. 16" square on the scarf which is 34" square. The border is a handsome pattern of horizontal stripes in maroon, black and cream, as well as 2 scalloped borders.

Cream area slightly tanned, some pinhole size holes sprinkled about the surface with 2 slightly larger holes (less than ½"). Corner ruffled top right and a long 12" separation to right of the central image where it was folded.

Overall, a splendid graphic. The central image is reproduced in the book "Mémorial des alliés", dedicated to the Allied countries of W.W.I, published in 1926. There is an indistinct reference below the image to a lithographer in Lyon. The central image was produced around 1860, and we feel the scarf is contemporary with the earlier printing.