A Treasure of the Napoleonic Era - the Sword of a Great Imperial Admiral
Jeudi 30 mai 2024A rare, precious remnant of history will be brought to auction at Hôtel Drouot on May 30th. As part of the second edition of the Tentation sale, the auction house Giquello will offer a sword very likely commissioned by Napoleon for Joachim Murat, Marshal and Great Admiral of the Empire. Crafted by the famous bladesmith Nicolas-Noël Boutet – the legendary “artist-director" of the state arms manufactory in Versailles –, this steel-and-gold sabre, featuring complex sculpted designs, is a true treasure of the French Empire.
An exceptional piece representing a glorious era
Gold-adorned swords produced in Versailles are extremely rare memorials to imperial opulence: their production was limited, and very few remain today. Moreover, this one has a specific hilt design, and a single duplicate of it is known to exist, on a sabre given to Prince Eugène de Beauharnais that is now kept at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. Such exception makes this object even more sought-after by any history aficionado.
While honorary arms generally do not bear a nominative dedication, this luxurious sword could only have been intended for Murat, the Emperor’s brother-in-law, since its iconography includes marine symbols such as the dolphin and Neptune’s trident. Murat distinguished himself on the battlefield and was made French Prince and Great Admiral of the Empire on the 1st of February 1805. By bestowing this sword upon him, Napoleon clearly wished to honour Murat’s new titles and reward his bravery.
After the Waterloo defeat of 1815, Paris was occupied by the coalition troops. All the arms manufacturing equipment from Versailles – as well as the finished arms – were transported to Prussia. It is therefore quite probable that the sword of the Great Admiral of the Empire was seized by the Prussians during the considerable plundering of Paris, which explains why it reappeared later in Germany near Kassel. After decades abroad, this historical treasure is finally returning to France.
An exceptional piece representing a glorious era
Gold-adorned swords produced in Versailles are extremely rare memorials to imperial opulence: their production was limited, and very few remain today. Moreover, this one has a specific hilt design, and a single duplicate of it is known to exist, on a sabre given to Prince Eugène de Beauharnais that is now kept at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. Such exception makes this object even more sought-after by any history aficionado.
While honorary arms generally do not bear a nominative dedication, this luxurious sword could only have been intended for Murat, the Emperor’s brother-in-law, since its iconography includes marine symbols such as the dolphin and Neptune’s trident. Murat distinguished himself on the battlefield and was made French Prince and Great Admiral of the Empire on the 1st of February 1805. By bestowing this sword upon him, Napoleon clearly wished to honour Murat’s new titles and reward his bravery.
After the Waterloo defeat of 1815, Paris was occupied by the coalition troops. All the arms manufacturing equipment from Versailles – as well as the finished arms – were transported to Prussia. It is therefore quite probable that the sword of the Great Admiral of the Empire was seized by the Prussians during the considerable plundering of Paris, which explains why it reappeared later in Germany near Kassel. After decades abroad, this historical treasure is finally returning to France.
Tentation n°2 : tableaux, sculptures, arts d'Asie
Sale Thursday 30 May 2024
Salle 9 - Hôtel Drouot - 9, rue Drouot 75009 Paris, FranceDernières actus
Contact
Sophie Dufresne
Director of communications
Mail : [email protected]
Tél. +33 (0)1 48 00 20 71
Mob. +33 (0)6 35 03 49 87
Director of communications
Mail : [email protected]
Tél. +33 (0)1 48 00 20 71
Mob. +33 (0)6 35 03 49 87
