It purports to include a piece of Napoleon’s mahogany coffin, studded with the imperial N monogram and borne by an imperial eagle with outspread wings. The gold eagle is sporting the Légion d’Honneur, inaugurated by Napoleon, and is perched on an agate globe. The crown is embellished with coloured gems; tiny brilliants adorn the crown, eagle wings, globe and cross.
This is an unusually luxurious example of the genre, prompting the suggestion that it was made for a leading figure of the First Empire or a member of the imperial family from the First or Second Empire.
Bidding reached Fr112,000 (£10,900) at Rieunier-Bailly-Pommery, France on February 28.
An honour from beyond the grave
This curious reliquary jewel, 31/2in (8.4cm) tall and with a pin to the back (probably a later addition) for use as a brooch, is a product of the craze for the Napoleonic era that developed in France after Napoleon’s ashes were returned from St Helena in 1840, and culminated in the election of Louis-Napoleon (subsequently Napoleon III) as President in 1848.
