Lot 37: Joseph Pastorini (British, 1773-1839) An Officer of an Auxiliary Infantry, wearing red coat with white piping to the black facings and standing collar, silver buttons, white epaulette, white cross belt with oval gilt-metal belt plate, white frilled

An Officer of an Auxiliary Infantry, wearing red coat with white piping to the black facings and standing collar, silver buttons, white epaulette, white cross belt with oval gilt-metal belt plate, white frilled chemise and black stock.
Gold frame, the reverse with blue glass border surrounding gilt-mounted aperture, glazed to reveal plaited hair.
Oval, 76mm (3in) high

The sitter's belt plate possibly contains a red rose which has long been a symbol of the English county of Lancashire. During the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars in France, auxiliary infantries such as the Volunteers and Local Militia were drawn from small parishes, the long associated symbols of which were used in the designs for the badges of these infantries.