124 - A rare memento of a marshal from the First Empire:

A rare memento of a marshal from the First Empire: The right lapel of a marshal of the Empire’s grand ceremonial coat, triangular in shape, made of white silk velvet (with a beige tint), embroidered along the outer edge and at the bottom with oak leaves filled with white and a thick serrated border, in gold passementerie using the “point lancé” stitch with gold-coated thread, gold cannetilles and paillons; the oak leaves become more elaborately decorated as they descend toward the lower edge, increasing in width from 4.5 cm to 14.5 cm, with the border measuring 1.5 cm in width; total length 110 cm, width at the top 17.5 cm, at the bottom 34 cm. (A few stains). Early Empire period. Very good condition. This style of coat can be seen in most official paintings: the painting of the Coronation of Napoleon I, the one depicting the distribution of the eagles by DAVID, and those portraying the marshals in full-length portraits in full ceremonial dress, including that of Marshal VICTOR by GROS at the Versailles Museum, and that of Marshal AUGEREAU by THÉVENIN, also at the Versailles Museum, etc. This ceremonial coat and the marshals’ uniforms were designed by ISABEY for the Coronation attire (watercolor, Paris, Louvre Museum, Department of Graphic Arts); they were likely produced by the house of Auguste PICOT, embroiderer to the First Consul and later to the Emperor. Other known pieces: - The two lapels of Imperial Marshal OUDINOT, in 1809, Duke of Reggio in 1810, sold at auction in Paris at the Hôtel Drouot, PIASA auction, on December 4, 2006, lot no. 104. - The uniform and coat of Marshal NEY, sold in Paris at the Hôtel Drouot, BINOCHE and GIQUELLO auction house, on June 20, 2012, lot no. 7; unsold and later purchased by the Army Museum at Les Invalides.