Textiles & Costumes

Broderie en fil d'argent doré sur un rond de velours rouge c.1805

Embroidered satin purse or portefeuille, decorated in gold metallic thread with the imperial bee of Napoleon within a laurel wreath amid scattered stars.

Rare French First Empire silver-gilt bullion embroidered bee appliqué, accompanied by an 1814 manuscript provenance letter identifying it as a fragment from the imperial coronation robes of Napoleon I used at the coronation in Notre-Dame, Paris.

Needlepoint padded top from a ‘porte mouchoir’ handkerchief case, with imperial eagle and initials C and J. Possibly for the marriage of Catherine and Jarome Napoleon. This top is similar to one on a chest that the Empress Marie-Louise had in her possession.

Bonnet du Roi de Rome, de type « béguin », en mousseline brodée

A fine example of an Empire dress, c. 1805, reflecting the fashionable neoclassical silhouette of the early nineteenth century. Made in lightweight white cotton fabric, the dress features a high waistline

White cotton and lace ‘jupon’ petticoat said to have belong to Hortense Bonaparte c.1820. After the collapse of the Empire Queen Hortense took the title of Duchess of St Leu.

The image shows Bonaparte accepting the presentation of weapons by individuals dressed in civilian clothes, while to his left the Goddess of Plenty appears to be crowning him with laurel leaves.