MM Park Bulgaria

Description

Complete Bulgarian footman livery

Manufacturer / main description

Uniform of a lackey (footman) of the Bulgarian royal household.
This ceremonial livery is made of dark green cloth, enriched with a black velvet collar and cuffs richly trimmed with gold braid. The inner waistcoat has a row of metal buttons decorated with royal emblems. The right shoulder bears an important braided aiguillette composed of several cords ending in metal tassels decorated with princely crowns. An epaulette embroidered with a royal crown completes the ensemble. The uniform also includes a bicorne embroidered with gold, black knee breeches with gilt buttons and black stockings with gold braid. This livery belonged to the service staff of the court of King Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, sovereign from 1887 to 1918 and Tsar of the Bulgarians from 1908. The Bulgarian court of the early 20th century sought to rival the great European monarchies through the splendour of its protocol and the refinement of its uniforms. The aesthetic of this dress testifies to French, Austro-Hungarian and Germanic influences. This French influence can be explained in particular by the personality of Queen Mother Clémentine d’Orléans, daughter of King Louis-Philippe I, the last King of the French. Deeply attached to French aristocratic traditions, she played a major role in the organization and prestige of the Sofia court. This livery is a rare testimony to Bulgarian monarchical ceremony, cultural exchanges between European courts and court textile art at the beginning of the 20th century. It also illustrates the symbolic role of clothing in the representation of royal power and European dynastic etiquette.

Displayed at MM Park France

Exhibition: "In the service of Ferdinand I"