Objects : 132
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ObjectThe Prince Imperial and his dog Néro
Carpeaux was introduced to court by Princess Mathilde in about 1863, and as a result of her patronage became the Prince Imperial’s drawing and sculpture master. Towards the end of 1864, he was asked to do a portrait of his young pupil. It was in effect a double commission, since the Empress wanted a bust […]
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ObjectThe Austerlitz or ‘Maréchaux’ Table
This formal piece of furniture progaganda made in memory of the famous victory at Austerlitz, the Austerlitz Table, was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806. Vivant Denon promised the emperor a «colossus in porcelain». Made over the period 1808 to 1810, this masterpiece from the Sèvres Manufactory was created by a 'dream team' of artists of […]
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ObjectThe Emperor’s table ‘boat’
With the proclamation of Empire in 1804 came the re-establishment of a ceremonial for every aspect of the sovereigns' and court's official life. The «Etiquette du Palais Impérial» composed by M. de Ségur, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, includes protocol for absolutely every single moment of court life. 'Their Majesties' Repast' was no exception. Three […]
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ObjectThe Traveller
Circa 1850, clearly influenced by Daumier, his Parisian neighbour on the Ile St Louis island where they both lived, Meissonier turned his attention to sculpture and used it as a stage in the painstaking preparation for his painted works. And this obsession for detail was to be for him his route to glory. One of […]
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ObjectThe First Consul’s glaive
The Versailles Manufactory is famed for having provided the honour arms awarded by Bonaparte to those who distinguished themselves on the field of battle. Director of the manufactory from 1798, Nicolas Noël Boutet also provided the First Consul with his sumptuous glaive (1800), with its antique-inspired decoration. The pommel, formed out of two lions' heads […]
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ObjectDessert plate from the «Service particulier de l’Empereur» : "Le prytanée de Saint-Cyr" by N.-A. Lebel
In 1807, Napoleon ordered from the Sèvres manufactory a service for his own personal use, the “Service particulier de l'Empereur”. This famous service, better known as the “Headquarters” service, is remarkable not only for its quality and beauty but also for the role which Napoleon played in making it. Indeed, the Emperor gave precise instructions […]
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ObjectStar of the Légion d’honneur
After the abolition by the Revolution of the ancient orders of chivalry in the name of égalité, the Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honour), instituted on 29 Floréal, An X (19 May, 1802), was created as an honour of a completely different type. By honouring personal merit, both civil and military, without distinction of birth, the […]
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ObjectClock: "Diogenes looking for a man"
At the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, the 'Exposition des produits de l'Industrie française' (Exhibition of the produce of French industry), which provided a showcase for best objects produced by each department, played a key role in the relaunching of the French economy. During the Empire period, the most sumptuous […]
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ObjectRatapoil
Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte’s election to the presidency of the Second French Republic, on 10 December, 1848, was the catalyst for a wave of militant opposition to the new regime. The Prince-President was all too aware that his post could only last four years and was not renewable, and so he pursued an intense campaign in 1850 […]
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Object / Directory / 1st EmpireSnuff box containing a golden leaf from the coronation crown
On 2 December, 1804, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris was the theatre for the coronation and consecration of Napoleon I (otherwise known as the “Sacre”). And in correspondence to the splendour and grandeur of the ceremony, particular attention was paid to the imperial insignia. In addition to the “honneurs de Charlemagne”, in other words […]