A HORSEHAIR BRACELET, WOVEN FROM THE MANE OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S HORSE, COPENHAGEN, CIRCA 1815

The wide strap composed of plaited hair on a gold clasp engraved, From the Mane/ of the Charger/ COPENHAGEN/ which carried the/ DUKE OF WELLINGTON/ 18 Successive Hours/ on the 18th June 1815, the opposite end of the clasp engraved, The Battle of Waterloo, 18.7cm x 2.7cm

Copenhagen was a dark chestnut part thoroughbred ex. racehorse, born in 1808 and named for the Victory at Copenhagen. An unsuccessful racer, she was sold to the Marquess of Londonderry and went with him to Spain for the Peninsula War. When the Marquess left for Germany, he was sold, along with another horse from the same stables to the Duke of Wellington. The Duke rode him for the remainder of the Napoleonic War and he famously carried him for over the 18 hours of the Battle of Waterloo.

He returned to England with the Duke and became something of a celebrity, both in London and at the Duke's country estate. Many commemorative items were made from his hair during his lifetime. Copenhagen died on February 12th 1836 of old age and was buried on the estate with full Military honours.