The Honor of the Bonapartes

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The Emperor Napoleon endeavoured to dictate his will on Europe, but also on his own family. He forced his brother Louis to marry Hortense, Joséphine's daughter. The couple failed to reach much agreement, but had three children. According to gossip, the eldest was perhaps a son of Napoleon ...

Politically, it was even worse. To counter the English threat, Napoleon, who usually was more clever, named Louis King of Holland in 1806. More interested in his new people than in his brother, Louis contrived to offend Napoleon and abdicated in 1810.

Louis Bonaparte loved luxury, and he certainly appreciated the ceremonial gilt sabre that Boutet made for him. Nicolas-Noël Boutet, director of the Manufacture Impériale de Versailles, was the most renowned French gunsmith of his time. His honor weapons, swords, sabres, firearms, are masterpieces. Louis' sabre is finely carved.

It is presented in its scabbard in red morocco in Paris (Hôtel Drouot) on November 18 to be auctioned by Thierry de Maigret. The estimate is not published yet, but I have no doubt that this lot is outstanding.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

There was no doubt about the high quality of this piece. The result confirms: 292 K€ including premium.

In the same sale, the very rare "habit de grand uniforme" of Maréchal Davout was sold 298 K € including premium.