napoleon

Napoleon Entering Cairo Statue Available At Rau Antiques

Filed under: Art

There is an almost eerie quality to this one of a kind custom made statue depicting Napoleon Bonaparte as he enters Cario during his campaign in Egypt. The small statue was made by famed French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme as a smaller version of a larger bronze statue. It was made around 1897. The statue is done in an ancient style known as "chryselephantine." The inner part of the statue is wood, while it is overlaid with gold and ivory. Ivory is used for Napoleon's face to simulate a more realistic flesh like look. The statue is about 16 and a half inches high.

Gerome, the artist, favored such older Roman and Greek sculpting techniques. The original bronze statue was bought by the French government for public display. This work is an amazing historical reference as well as example of neo-classic revival in the 19th century that has since never been better. Price is $198,000 at Rau Antiques. Learn more here.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: cairo, jean-leon gerome, napoleon, sculpture

Rare Book Set On Egypt Crowns Christie's Sale In Paris

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Books

It was one of the most ambitious projects the world had ever seen. After taking command of the Egyptian campaign around the turn of the 19th century, Napoleon gathered a staff of France's top scientists, artists, explorers and others to undertake a concept like no other, a complete and comprehensive survey of the country's monuments, plants, animals and more. The result was the Description de l'Egypte, a multi-volume set which began in 1803 but wasn't completed until 1830.

Christie's has announced the sale of the Michel Wittock Collection, Part IV, which will be held in Paris on May 11 which will include an exceptional copy of the Description de l'Egypte, bound by Jean-Joseph Tessier in polished and richly decorated calfskin. The 23 volumes in their original mahogany display case are expected to sell for €500,000 to €700,000. This is the first edition of the publication and is printed on woven paper with handcolored ornithological plates. The final work included more than 900 engraved plates. This copy was bound by the Parisian binder Jean-Joseph Tessier using tools specifically cut for the project. This particular copy belonged to Jean-Joseph Courvoisier (1775-1835) who was appointed the minister of justice in 1829 and received this set as a gift commemorating that occasion.

Tags: antiquities, christies, description de egypte, napoleon, rare books

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Creed Debuts New Fragrance With Its Own Polo Team

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Men's Style

Creed of Paris, supplier of bespoke fragrances to royalty and aristocracy since 1760, has named a polo team after its newest scent for men. Called Aventus and inspired by Napoleon, the luxurious cologne was created by hand from ingredients sourced from important locations in the great emperor's life. The classic Creed "flask" design of the black leather-wrapped bottle also dates to the Napoleonic era. The newest addition to Creed's prestigious Permanent Collection, Aventus will debut this fall at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and the Creed boutique in New York City.

The newly-minted Creed Aventus polo team meanwhile will play at high-profile matches this summer in England and France. Aventus contains blackcurrant from Corsica, where Napoleon was born; bergamot from Italy, site of victories that made him famous; Calville Blanc apples from France, where he rose to be emperor; Napoleon Roses, named in his honor; Louisana birch, the wood of his throne; Jasmine from Egypt, where his empire reached; and oak moss from Spain, which he conquered, among other ingredients. Part of the proceeds from U.S. sales benefits American Rivers, protecting U.S. waterways from harm.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Bergdorf Goodman, bespoke, cologne, Creed, equestrian, fragrance, France, leather, mens style, Napoleon, Neiman Marcus, Paris, perfume, polo

The Classicist: Cognac and Armagnac from Classic & Vintage

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, The Classicist

Founded in 1832 under Napoleon III, The House of Castarède is the oldest Armagnac house in the world, and has remained in the hands of the same family for six generations. Jean Grosperrin founded Grosperrin, one of the last independent Cognac houses, 160 years later in 1992. As a broker, Jean had developed an elaborate network of growers who opened their cellar doors for him and allowed him to buy some of their most precious stocks.

Both of the elixirs are now available in the U.S. from Classic & Vintage Artisanal Spirits, a collection of boutique spirits founded by Domaine Select Wine Estates (DSWE) earlier this year (my colleague Alison Wellner wrote about their launch party).

Rich, smooth and mellow, Armagnac Castarède is crafted from the best grapes of the Bas Armagnac region and matured in cellars that are more than 100 years old. Today, Florence Castarède is responsible for this family heritage, combining know-how acquired over 175 years with new initiatives. The distillation and aging process in hand made oak barrels takes place in the Château de Maniban, situated in the heart of the Bas-Armagnac and dating back to the 16th century.

Castarède is also celebrated for its exceptional collection of vintage Armagnacs, with more than 80 authenticated vintages, the oldest dating from 1881. Vintage Armagnacs from 1893 - 1987 are available, with prices on request; the Castarède portfolio in the U.S. also consists of Armagnac Selection (SRP $64), Armagnac Réserve de la Famille, aged for over 20 years (SRP $124) and Armagnac VSOP (right), aged 10 years, (SRP $74). All are in 750 ml bottles.

Grosperrin's philosophy is to maintain small-batch integrity, without blending, leaving all varietals in individual batches in their original barrels or glass demi-johns, producing a wide array of distinctive products from all of the appellations of Cognac. The result is an impressive selection of single vintage, single barrel, and single estate Cognacs, each with a unique personality and history.

Gallery: Classic & Vintage Cognac & Armagnac

Today, the family-owned company is exclusively dedicated to the selection, aging, and distribution of rare, aged Cognac dating from 1991 all the way back to World War II, carrying all of the necessary guarantees of quality and authenticity. Classic & Vintage will import selected products from the expansive Grosperrin Portfolio at various prices; the next shipment is due to arrive in the U.S. in March.

Many people wonder about the differences between Armagnac and Cognac. Armagnac brandy is crafted from white wines produced from white grapes with high acidity and a low alcohol content. Armagnac is distinguished by the region's sunnier climate, sandy and clay soil rich in iron and four grape varieties as opposed to Cognac's two; the main difference is in the distillation process, however: single and continuous distillation for Armagnac that gives more fragrance and flavors. You can read more here.

Tags: Armagnac, brandy, Classic Vintage Artisanal Spirits, ClassicVintageArtisanalSpirits, Cognac, Domaine Select, DomaineSelect, France, Grosperrin, Napoleon

Ltd. Edition S.T. Dupont Place Vendôme Gold & Diamond Lighter

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Men's Style

S.T. Dupont, makers of the world's most expensive lighter we wrote about last month, have come out with an equally exquisite instrument for lighting one's cigarette designed as an homage to one of Paris' most famous architectural landmarks.

The Place Vendôme limited edition Ligne 2 Prestige rose gold lighter embellished with 192 diamonds (right), which sells for $47,000 and is limited to 35 pieces, is modeled on the architecture of the majestic Parisian square of that name commissioned by King Louis XIV in the 17th century.

In 1810 following his victory at Austerlitz, Napoleon enriched the square by erecting the Vendôme Column. A pen matching the lighter modeled on the column is also available. Napoleon's famous quotation is engraved on the lighter's roller and on the body of the pen: "Impossible n'est pas français" - Nothing is impossible for the French.

Tags: architecture, France, gold, lighter, Napoleon, Paris, Place Vendome, PlaceVendome, S.T. Dupont, S.t.Dupont, smoking

Napoleon's Sword Sold at Auction for $6.4 Million

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Auctions

Somewhere in the world there is going to be one very spoiled father this upcoming Father's Day. A gold-encrusted sword belonging to Napoleon and carried into battle way back in the early 1800s was auctioned off in France for more than $6.4 million dollars. After the battle Napoleon later gave the sword to his brother as a wedding present, and it was passed down through the generations -- never leaving the family. Despite being declared a French national treasure back in 1978 the sword's actual value is estimated at much less than the selling price -- only about $1.6 million -- and the winning bidder is not being identified. But the Osenat auction house did say that the sword will remain in the family, and that it was a woman who won the sword for her husband as "a very nice Father's Day gift."

Source

Tags: auction, father's day, Father'sDay, france, french, napoleon, national treasure, NationalTreasure, osenat, sword