Chamberlain's key to the House of Emperor... - Lot 39 - Osenat

Lot 39
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20000 - 30000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 30 912EUR
Chamberlain's key to the House of Emperor... - Lot 39 - Osenat
Chamberlain's key to the House of Emperor Napoleon I. Rare chamberlain's key bearing the figure of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon I. In vermeil. Ring with crowned eagle resting on the numeral "N", surrounded by a crown of oak and laurel leaves. Round stem adorned with foliage and a chased bee, ending in a ball. Biennais goldsmith's hallmark on the back; hallmark of the goldsmiths' association. Attached to its green passementerie bow with gold embroidery and two spinach seed tassels. (minor wear). B.E. First Empire period. Complete with bow. Provenance : - Former Charles Marchal collection. - Private collection. - Sale L'Empire à Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau (Maître Osenat), December 9, 2006, n°160, expert Jean-Claude Dey. - Jean Louis Noisiez Collection History : The Chamberlain's keys are a badge of the office of "guardian of the chamber" in the Germanic courts. and Russian courts, then in France under the First and Second Empires. In gilt bronze, vermeil, silver or even fine gold. At the Tuileries, under Napoleon I, at least four of them acted as introducers at the same time of visitors granted an audience by the Emperor. Often chased by the goldsmith Biennais and adorned with gold and passementerie bows with sequins and "tassels". These keys, fitted with clips and sometimes without a bit, were worn on the belt of the robe. They were paid for by Napoleon, who paid for them out of his own coffers and presented them to the holders of the office.
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