Hi, after spending hrs trawling through my old group website I finally found some zouave pics, hope they help as I know the group are very much the sort to research everything to be as authentic as possible.
As you can see in the second picture there is a zouave standing below the confederate flag on closer inspection he has a blue tassel just as in the 1st pic.

Thanks for the response Gerrard. That's one of the very best renditions of dark blue I've seen using acrylics.

Thanks also everyone for the responses concerning the uniform.

Geoff

Hi Geoff,
As you probably know I have sculpted several Tiger Zouaves over the years, and had the same problem. Tombeaus or not Tombeaus, that is the question... lol
But seriously I have done both with and without, and as F troop explains there is no definitive right or wrong it seems. I did use Don Troiani as reference for this piece, and as I'm sure you know, he's recognised as a leading authority of ACW history and uniform details.

Also in the reference the tassel is shown as red.

I hope this helps a little.

Carl

Excellent paintwork.
I like flashtones.
Ciao by Maco

Thanks Carl. I'm old enough to remember when the jacket was shown in references as being brown. I think that was based on some faded surviving examples where the blue dye had faded to brown. I think that the true colour was discovered after the exhumation of somebody still wearing the uniform and which featured (the jacket not the body!) in an article in Military Illustrated back in the 90's.
There's no way I'd contradict Mr Troiani.

Geoff

I believe Geoff,

The brown colour was a result of vegetable dye fading to a brown type colour. But I can't be sure.
I'm pretty certain somone my give a better explanation.

Carl

Geoff & Carl;

At the risk of boring you I can comment on the jacket color. I think the origins of the brown jackets may have come from a period water color sketch. I don't have a copy of it at the moment but as I remember there was some questions as to whether it was accurate. Anyway, remnants of the Tiger jacket were recovered from the graves of Corcoran and O'Brien in Centreville VA in 1978. They were executed by firing squad after 1st Manassas. The examination did turn up crystalized traces of indigo dye in some of the seams so the original dark blue was confirmed. The fact that it was indigo and not a vegetable dye kind'a knocks out the fading theory. Afterall you don't find mention of Union coats fading to brown because they also used indigo. (There WERE some manufacturers of Federal uniforms that used a redwood (vegetable) dye and they indeed did fade to reddish-brown)

I am 100% in agreement with Carl's remark about Don Toriani's research. I don't think there is a Civil War artist out there that is as thorough as he is....and he has an extensive uniform collect to boot. I have four of his books and a number of prints from his uniform series including the Tiger Zouave shown above. And he has personally helped me with a number of uniform questions over the years. That being said here is another of Don Toriani's prints:

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This is an earlier Tiger print by Don and in this one you see that tombeaues are included and the tassel was blue so either way is safe. ( I actually like this print better than the newer one)

Later

Oooops

Progressing slowly... I can see the light after the tunnel ...

The finished bust,
cheers!

Beautiful painting of your bust Gerard. In this painting, the tassels are blue, hanging over the left shoulder. I like your version more, great work Gerard. Regards, SG

I'm glad you like SG, but I think the guy of your painting is a Union zouave, of the 9th NY Volunteer Infantry , so it can not be used as a ref. Anyway, as always, thanks for your comments

Well done sir!

Great work.

Beautiful finish Gerard.

Roger.

Super work gerard,cracking piece of work mate

Brian

Beautiful work Gerard!

Cheer's,
Jeff.

That really is outstanding work Gerrard. Every element and every colour has been perfectly handled.
Cheers
Derek

very very good