Napoleon Inkstand

A fine and rare bronze inkstand made to celebrate the baptism of Napoleon François Charles Joseph, the son of Napoleon I and Empress Marie Louise.
The baptism, inspired by the ceremony of Louis, Grand Dauphin of France, was held on 9 June 1811 at the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
The present inkstand is based on the design for a celebratory medal produced by Bertrand Andrieu (French, 1761–1822), struck and issued in 1811.

This bronze inkstand stands on four winged lion’s paw feet, has a dished pen-tray before a platform containing two bronze lidded cut glass inkwells centred by the standing figure of Napoleon holding aloft his baby for baptism and standing beside his throne. Beneath this is a cut glass dish for nibs and within the throne is a pierced bronze pounce pot.

French circa 1811.

w:12.75 in x 6.75 in x h:9.75 in