Rémi Le Forestier (French, b. 1985) for Percier et Fontaine Throne for the coronation of Jean-Bedel Bokassa in carved and gilded mahogany. Replica of the throne used for the coronation of the Emperor of Central Africa on December 4, 1977 in Bangui. Height 300 cm, width 350 cm. (wings, body and feet can be removed) Exhibitions: "Trône interdit", Palais Vivienne, Paris; then at Château de Condé, Aisne, summer 2023. Rémi Le Forestier for Percier & Fontaine. A carved and gilded mahogany replica of the throne used on the occasion of the Dec. 4, 1977 coronation of Emperor Bokassa I in Bangui, Central Africa. Designed by sculptor Olivier Brice as a seated eagle with outstretched wings, Bokassa's original coronation throne was directly inspired by the Napoleonic gesture. The sculptor, who built a special workshop near his home in Gisors, Normandy, placed the red velvet seat, supplied by draper Michel Cousin, in the center of a cavity in the eagle's belly. Weighing around two tons, the gilded bronze throne cost a total of $2,500,000. Handed over to the mob when S.M.I. Bokassa was overthrown, only a few parts of the metal carcass remain in Bangui. The ceremony, orchestrated by France but financed by Libya's Gaddafi, cost 100 million francs. Pierre Cardin designed the uniforms and jeweller Arthus Bertrand the crown, adorned with 7,000 carats of diamonds. This contemporary replica of the original throne, a brilliant evocation of the last imperial coronation ceremony in the 20th century, was exhibited alongside other replicas of imperial thrones.