SHIELD IN HONOR OF THE FIGHTERS AND SOLDIERS KILLED DURING THE BATTLE OF LOIGNY AND PATAY ON DECEMBER 2, 1870, Second Empire - Third Republic. 30833R

SHIELD IN HONOR OF THE FIGHTERS AND SOLDIERS KILLED DURING THE BATTLE OF LOIGNY AND PATAY ON DECEMBER 2, 1870, Second Empire - Third Republic. 30833R

Made of repoussé and chiseled copper alloy, in a round shape, with a diameter of 67 cm and thickness of 6 cm. It depicts in the center a large medallion showing the charge of the Zouaves Pontificaux under the command of Colonel de Charrette during the Battle of Loigny-Patay. This central medallion is surmounted by the arms of France and bordered on each side by a Medusa head. Topped with the pontifical arms of Pope Pius IX (1792-1878), the perimeter is adorned with twelve medallions featuring the leaders of the battle with their coats of arms:
- General de Sonis (1825-1887).
- Henri de Verthamon (1833-1870), standard-bearer at the Battle of Patay carrying the banner of the Sacred Heart with the inscription "Heart of Jesus save France."
- Edouard Lepage du Boischevalier (1842-1870).
- Victor Marie Guillet de la Brosse (1833-1870), born on January 7, 1833, in Nantes, died on October 9, 1870, in Cercottes, at the age of 37.
- Lelievre Delatouche.
- Antonin Espitalie la Peyrade (1842-1876).
- Joseph Marie Edouard Houdet (1847-1871).
- Edouard de Cazenove de Pradine (1838-1896).
- Jacques de Bouillé (1844-1870).
- Fernand de Bouillé (1821-1870).
- Commandant de Troussure.
- General de Charrette (1832-1911).
Below the central medallion: a reminder of the first victory at Patay in 1429, with Charles VII kneeling (after the French victory, Charles was crowned King, Charles VII of France, on July 17, 1429, in Reims).
At the bottom, a list of the killed, wounded, and missing, framed by the coats of arms of Brittany and the city of Nantes.

France.
Second Empire - Third Republic.
Very good condition.

NOTE:
Shield in its rarer version made of a copper alloy, a work by Drouard produced in Nantes in 1882. A similar specimen is preserved in the collections of the Dobrée Museum in Nantes Reference: 07450021289.
A more common second version in cast iron exists, with the latter often being counterfeited.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
During the 1870 war, the German troops, despite fierce resistance, laid siege to Paris, which surrendered in January 1871. The Germans, continuing their advance, reached Orleans and then Le Mans. The defense of the west was entrusted, in part, to the 'Army of the Loire,' which notably included the 'Volunteers' from the west under the command of the famous General de Sonis and Colonel de Charette. These 'Volunteers from the West,' particularly the 'Zouaves Pontificaux,' left Rome in September, and the 300 Zouaves Pontificaux who arrived in Tours on October 8 reunited with Colonel de Charette, who informed them of their new designation as Volunteers from the West. Their numbers rapidly grew with new recruits from all over France, reaching 1,200. On November 24, General Gaston de Sonis (1825-1887) was appointed to lead the 17th army corps, which included the Volunteers from the West. At the end of September 1870, Abbé Victor de Musy had a Sacred Heart flag made at his own expense by the nuns of Paray-le-Monial with the invocation: 'Heart of Jesus, save France.' At his request, they sent it to the 'holy man of Tours,' Mr. Dupont (1797-1876), who then offered it to Baron Athanase de Charette (1833-1911), appointed in early October as commander of the Volunteer Legion from the West. On December 2, 1870: Battle of Loigny north of Orleans (Loiret). Departing from Patay-Orleans or Patay-Loigny, General Gaston de Sonis and Colonel de Charette, leading the Volunteers from the West, carried the banner of the Sacred Heart into the heart of battle, shouting 'Long live Pius IX! Long live France!.' Many soldiers wore small scapulars of the Sacred Heart on their military uniforms, distributed to them by Father de Boylesve.