Officer 1829

The style of hussar jacket, or dolman, in the 1820s was richly covered in gold gimp chain loops intersected with gold braid to allow little of the blue to show through. The 3-inch high collar was laced all around and decorated with braid, and closed at the neck. The pointed cuff also had gold lace and circlets of braid, echoed on the back seams. The pelisse is edged with black fur at this stage; the rank and file were still wearing white fur edged pelisses, according to a Hull print of a private published in May 1830. The pelisse in this portrait is partially folded back to reveal a crimson silk lining. The black leather chainy pouch-belt clearly identifies him as 10th Hussars.
The portrait was reproduced in an auction catalogue with the following information: The painter was Simon Jacques Rochard (1788-1872). The sitter is said to be Lord William Osborne Elphinstone. This name is inscribed on the original backing card, signed and dated July 1829, with an address; 281 Regent Street. It is a small painting, 149mm (almost 6ins) high. The list of officers of the 10th Hussars has no record of an Elphinstone in this period, however, there is a William Osborne who first appears as a lieutenant in 1826 and last appears as a captain in 1832. There are three Honorables, a baronet and a Lord amongst the officers but William Osborne was not one of them.

Regimental Details | Uniforms