A silver plate Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honour of Emperor Napoleon I, circa 1810, the model attributed to Martin-Guillaume Biennais
Estimate
150,000 - 200,000 EUR
Lot Details
Description
second model, crafted in silvered cannetille, featuring a silver center stamped with a crowned eagle in two sections and a rim bearing the partially legible motto 'Honneur et Patrie', with a handwritten label "Je certifie que ce crachat a appartenu à mon grand Oncle l’Empereur Napoléon. Joseph Napoléon Bonaparte" (I certify that this crachat belonged to my great-uncle, Emperor Napoleon. Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte) and an original catalog note " Le dit crachat a été donné par moi à mon ami Emilio Rinazzi. Joseph Napoléon Bonaparte. Rome 25 septembre 1853" (The said crachat was given by me to my friend Emilio Rinazzi. Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte. Rome, September 25, 1853); we add two fragments of the cordon of the Légion d'Honneur, one in three elements, the second with two elements
(3)
Height 4 1/8 in (10,5 cm), the cordons : dim. from the smallest to the longest length 2 3/4 in (7 cm) to 39 1/2 in (100 cm)
Most probably Napoleon Ist (1769-1821);
Given to Lucien Bonaparte (1775-1840), Prince of Canino & Musignano, Napoleon's brother;
Charles-Lucien Bonaparte (1803-1857), Prince of Canino & Musignano, his son;
Joseph Lucien Bonaparte (1824-1865), Prince of Canino & Musignano, his son;
Gift from Joseph to his friend Emilio Rinazzi in 1853 ;
Tajan sale Paris, 17 January 2005, lot 50.
P.-J. Chalençon, B. Topping and R. Hull Etling, Napoléon: An Intimate Portrait, Floride, 2005, exhibition catalogue, 2005-2011, p. 24
Napoléon: An Intimate Portrait, A Travelling Exhibition from Russell Etling Company, 2005-2011