THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON I. Mortuary mask, model... - Lot 143 - Osenat

THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON I. Mortuary mask, model of Doctor Antommarchi. In plaster, engraved on the neck "D.F. ANTOMMARCHI". Bears the bronze medal with the portrait of the Emperor and King Napoleon Bonaparte. On the back a label with handwritten signature in pen of Antommarchi. Numerous knocks, scratches and small missing parts. H : 34 cm L : 13 cm History : This copy of the famous death mask, is a preparatory copy for the bronze of the 1833 subscription. Characteristic elements of these first masks, the marks of assembly well apparent. Related work : A similar mask in the collections of the Louvre. The notice indicates "that it is one of twenty-five plaster prints registered under the same inventory number LP 240. Acquired from the foundryman Galle († Paris, ca. 1863) by subscription decided on October 8, 1833. The other 24 copies are today unidentified and unlocated." Our copy could be part of this early series.