- 49
AN IVORY MINIATURE, FRENCH SCHOOL, CIRCA 1810 | An ivory miniature, French School, circa 1810
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- gold, ivory, wood
- miniature 4.7 x 3.1 cm
oval, wearing a red and white uniform with gold epaulettes, possibly of a colonel of the First Cuirassier Regiment, with the star and badge of the Order of the Legion of Honour and the sash of the Order of the Crown of Westphalia, chased gold mount with blue enamel border, later rectangular ebonised wood easel frame MN 4205
Provenance
Jérôme Napoléon, King of Westphalia (1784-1860);
Prince Napoléon, 'Plon-Plon' (1822-1891);
Prince Victor Napoléon (1862-1926);
Prince Louis Napoléon (1914-1997)
Prince Napoléon, 'Plon-Plon' (1822-1891);
Prince Victor Napoléon (1862-1926);
Prince Louis Napoléon (1914-1997)
Condition
Hairline crack starting at 7 o'clock and running to 8 along margin. Very minor enamel loss at 3 and 5.30 on frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The decree authorising the creation of the Order of the Crown of Westphalia was signed by Emperor Napoléon I on 25 December 1809, fulfilling Jérôme’s wish to have an order for the recently created Kingdom of Westphalia. Like the Legion of Honour, after which it was modelled, it was intended to be both a military and a civil award. The badge, suspended on a blue ribbon, comprised a crowned imperial eagle above a crowned demi-eagle demi-lion with supporters in the form of crowned lion (Kassel) and a horse (Westphalia). Although the order was abolished after the fall of the kingdom in 1813, Jérôme, who enjoyed the pomp and splendour associated with the royal court, continued to wear the insignia until his death. The motto of the order was ‘Charakter und Aufrichtigkeit’ - ‘Character and Honesty’.