Regiment des Dromedaires Camel Saddle

This fascinating piece of military history is a camel saddle created for and used by the Dromedary Regiment (Regiment des Dromedaires) during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaigns between 1798 and 1801. The term “dromedary” refers to the dromedary camel, better known as the Arabian camel, that features a single hump on its back. This saddle is perfectly suited to fit snuggly around the hump and secure two soldiers upon the camel’s back. The wooden saddle bears iron reinforcements and brass mountings with openwork underlain with silver. The dromedary camel proved to be a vital asset for Napoleon’s military campaign, due to the fact the animal is well adapted to life in desert, able to transport a large amounts of cargo and is highly intelligent and easily managed. Specialized equipment such as this saddle was needed to properly outfit the camels for military use. The Regiment des Dromedaires was created upon the onset of Napoleon’s arrival in Egypt in January, 1798. These soldiers were hand-selected infantrymen who actually fought dismounted.

Circa 1800

51” length