Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Vivandière or cantinière is a French name for women who are attached to military regiments as sutlers or canteen keepers. Their actual historic functions of selling wine to the troops and working in canteens led to the adoption of the name 'cantinière' which came to supplant the original 'vivandière' starting in 1793. The use of both terms was common in French until the mid-19th century, and 'vivandière' remained the term of choice in non-French-speaking countries such as the US, Spain, Italy, and Great Britain.

This is an outstanding artifact from the Franco-Prussian War, hand-painted with the unit designation of the 3rd Chasseur Battalion, which served under the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps. The 1st Brigade was commanded by Gen. Letellier Valaze. The front of the keg has a spout for dispensing of the wing. The opposite side of the keg is beautifully painted:

Cantinière
DU
3ME BON
DE
CHASSEURS

This translates to:

Canteen worker
Of
the 3rd Battalion
Of
Chasseurs

The keg is painted with the blue white and red tri-color French flag with the center being painted with a cacophony of flags surrounded with oak leaves with a Chasseurs horn in the center over the text:

GARDE
IMPERIALE

This is likely a nod to the lineage of the Chasseurs, namely the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard. There is some heavy chipping to the paint, but considering its age it has held up very well overall. The top even retains the original cork which is still secured via the small chain.

The keg measures 12 ¾ x 5 x 7” and retains the two hanging rings. This would look outstanding in any period French collection.

Comes ready to serve as the centerpiece of any Franco-Prussian War collection!

The 3e Chasseurs were formed in 1840 and spent the next eight years in North Africa. Returning to France in 1848 the battalion went to the Crimea in 1853 and was fort in the battles of the Alma and Inkerman and were involved in the storming of the Mamelon-Vert at Sevastopol. Not engaged in the Italian campaign, the battalion formed a part of the garrison of the Pontifical States from 1860-65.

In the structure of the army in 1870 one Chasseur battalion was assigned to each infantry division. The 3e was assigned to Verge's Division, 2nd Corps (which is why it is a part of my collection), under Commandant Thoma. Heavily engaged at Spicheren it lost 6 officers and 225 men from 452 engaged. It fought again at Rezonville and Gravelotte and surrendered at Metz in October.

The depot companies formed the basis of the 3e Chasseurs de Marche and served in 16th Corps in the Army d'Loire, fighting at Valliere, Loigny and Moree. In the Great War the battalion fought from day one to the very end of the war across almost every point of the western front from Belgium to Belfort, and counted 2,039 officers and enlisted  men killed during the war. Disbanded in 1929, it was restored in 1939, only to be disbanded again after the Fall of France the following year. Reconstituted in 1949 it was disbanded for good in 1955.