Cockades

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Anyone have a pattern for a cockade?

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04

[DukeRPSC]

Pard:

Take a look at some of those shown in Echoes Of Glory: Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy. See page 93. Most shown are merely folded or pleated ribbons drawn together in a circle or star. The item at the top is made from palmetto leaves.

There is a lady here in Columbia, SC, a Mrs. Fricke, who has carefully studied this now lost 19th Century craft and makes a dead ringer for that very cockade. She substitutes a palmetto leaf 'rose' for the button as there are no quality repro Palmetto State buttons now generally available, but will make one on order if desired for your use with a repro or original button for about $10 or so.

All the little 'wreath' consists of is a simple tripple braid. If palmetto leaves are unavailable, I'd think any palm or ornamental grass leaf would serve. The whole affair winds up being slightly large and a silver dollar.

As these were not made to any uniformity, I'd think a bit of experimentation to get the desired result might be in order... if you're handy with such.

I hope you find this helpful. Good luck!

[vbetts]

On two different trips to South Carolina I have asked about palmetto cockades at visitors centers, the main Charleston museum, and historic homes with gift shops, and have had to define the word "cockade." I've thought for some time that they would make wonderful souvenirs for the tourists, Christmas ornaments, etc. above and beyond the reenactor market. At the state visitors center coming in from Savannah the lady said if I ever found any, to let her know. (One friend said they would be great items to sell to fans of the Fighting Gamecocks, as in cock-aid, but he's a wag...)

Do you know where I could purchase one of Mrs. Fricke's cockades? Would the Relic Room have them? Do I need to contact her directly? If so, how?

Thanks,
Vicki Betts
vbetts@gower.net