LEGIONS OF HONOR, MINIATURE PORTRAIT AND MEMORIES OF CAPTAIN AIDE DE CAMP PIERRE CASSAIGNE, First Empire. 29107
• Silver eagle of the Legion of Honor 3rd type 1806-1808 First Empire, in silver and enamel, with five double rays with white enameled unbuttoned points, surmounted by a crown; the star is surrounded by light green enameled oak and laurel leaves. Center of the obverse in gold with profile of the Emperor on the right on a radiating background surrounded by a circle of blue enamel with the inscription “NAPOLEON EMP DES FRANCAIS” in highlight. Backhand center absent. Silver crown with eight arches decorated with palmettes.
Dimensions H 5.5 cm, diameter 3.6 cm.
Remaining ribbon.
Bad condition, the center of the reverse is missing, significant restoration with white enamel, most of the enamel on the foliage is missing.
• Golden Eagle of the Legion of Honor 4th type 1808-1814 First Empire, in gold with five double rays with white enameled buttoned points, surmounted by a crown; the star is surrounded by light green enameled oak and laurel leaves. Center of the obverse in gold with the profile of the Emperor on the right on a radiating background surrounded by a circle of blue enamel with the inscription “BONAPARTE I CONSUL MAY 19, 1802” highlighted. Center of the reverse in gold with an eagle headed sinisterly on an azure background, surrounded by a blue scroll bearing the inscription “HONEUR ET PATRIE”. Golden crown with eight arches decorated with palmettes.
Dimensions H 5 cm, diameter 3.1 cm.
Scarlet silk ribbon.
Average condition, some gaps and repairs in the enamels, center of the reverse in poor condition.
• Miniature portrait of the captain in aide-de-camp uniform, oval shape, H 4.8 cm, width 3.9 cm.
Watercolor and gouache, bust portrait in a hunter's aide-de-camp outfit in dark blue cloth, gold buttons, sky blue piping, gold epaulettes, cartridge case banner in gold braid, knight's star of the Legion of Honor. On the back, a handwritten paper in pen “PC” in interlaced letters, then “For cherished motto, he took these happy words Honor and Rosalie Live and die for them” 1815. Presented under glass with a gilded brass clasp frame.
Fairly good condition.
• Round medallion with beaded border featuring hairs from the captain's mustache, with on the back a handwritten paper "Moustache P. Cassaigne Capne aide-de-camp knight of the Legion H..".
Good condition.
• Brass box, diameter 7 cm, with glass lid containing a paper disk with the following handwritten text:
“This mustache is from Mr. Pierre Cassaigne, captain aide-de-camp, knight of the Legion of Honor.
It was cut on April 11, 1816, according to an order from the general commanding the department, and given to the sister, as a family souvenir, on May 17, her wedding day.
The one who carried it for 30 years in the great army, witnessed, in less than this time, nine great battles, the capture of eight cities and 27 combats.
He served under Napoleon's flags in Prussia, Poland, Germany, Spain and on the borders of Turkey.
He saw them floating victorious over the towers of almost all the capitals of Europe. And defended them against all of Europe, united against them, until April 18, 1814.”
Good condition.
• Captain's mustache (protected in a paper).
Very good state of conservation.
Reference :
29107