A Dragoon on Horseback in the Royal Italian Army, circa 1861
Accession number:
1966.05
Maker:
N/A
Historical period:
ca. 1966
Miltary branch:
Army
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 23 in. / 20 in. / 7.5 in.
Acquisition date:
ca. 1968
Credit line:
Gift of Admiral Charles Griffin
Location:
B1
Provenance:
From ca. 1966: To Admiral Charles Griffin, CINCSOUTH (Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe), from Major General Mario Alessi, DCoFS P&O
From ca. 1968-1996: The Army and Navy Club, gift of Admiral Charles Griffin
Label:
The word “dragoon” originally referred to mounted infantry, who were trained in horse riding as well as infantry fighting skills. However, usage altered over time and during the 18th century, dragoons evolved into conventional cavalry units. The name is derived from a type of firearm, called a "dragon," which was a handgun version of a blunderbuss, carried by dragoons of the French Army. The title has been retained in modern times by a number of armored or ceremonial mounted regiments.
There are four other sculptures similar to this one in the collection of The Army and Navy Club (accession numbers 1966.01-1966.05), each one representing a different type of soldier in the Royal Italian Army from the 19th century. They were owned by Charles Griffin and gifted by him to the Club. Admiral Charles Griffin USN was a member of The Army and Navy Club in his retirement (retired 1968).
The label of this sculpture reads: “To Adm. Charles D. Griffin, CINSOUTH, From M/Gen. Mario Alessi DCoFS P&O.”