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Embroidered silk purse or document wallet.

Description

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

Provenance

Possibly associated to the Empress Josephine or other Imperial family member.

History & Context

Possibly an item used during Napoleon & Josephine’s coronation as per similar item in Bruno Ledoux collection. (See below)

AUGUSTIN-FRANCOIS-ANDRÉ PICOT (1786-1868), WHITE SATIN PURSE CARRIED ON THE DAY OF THE CORONATION CEREMONY
White satin purse embroidered with DC gold thread and studded with gold stars, featuring a bee in the center surrounded by a laurel wreath. Made in 1804 for the coronation ceremony by the imperial embroiderer Picot to designs by Isabey.
On 18 May 1820, according to a handwritten historical document, this precious memento was given by the now exiled Emperor to General Baron Henri Lenoury (1771-1839) as a mark of his respect. Lenoury's estate was sold off in Louviers in 2002.

Additional photographs

Bruno Ledoux collection reference