Bal bij sjako van J.W.C. baron van Ittersum c. 1800 - 1850

This is a "bal bij sjako" (ball for a shako), which was a popular accessory for military uniforms in the 19th century. The ball is made of a material that resembles leather and is decorated with a series of ridges. It is attached to a simple wire handle that would have been used to secure the ball to a shako, which is a type of military hat. The shako was a common headwear item for European and American armies during the 19th century and the ball was an important part of the shako's appearance.