{"title":"11.26 For the History Buff","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"nephrite-napoleonic-tomb-sculpture","title":"Nephrite Napoleonic Tomb Sculpture","description":"Skillfully crafted of carved nephrite, this one-of-a-kind sculpture is a fantastical recreation of the tomb of Napoléon on St. Helena, the island of the Emperor’s final exile and eventual death. Almost certainly made in the first years following the legendary leader’s death, the work lends Napoléon’s tomb a grandeur and opulence it never achieved in life; the original tomb in St. Helena’s Sane Valley was a simple, unadorned plot beneath a willow. The present piece, however, is crafted with a complexity and majesty befitting the French leader. Fascinating in subject and design, this objet d’art is an intricate and dazzling display of nephrite workmanship. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e An island 1,162 miles from the west coast of Africa, St. Helena was chosen as the place of Napoléon’s final exile precisely for its isolation; the British feared a repeat of Elba, when Napoleon escaped exile after just 11 months. Due to its remoteness, few Frenchmen were able to visit the tomb of their former Emperor, and only a handful of sketches of his resting place beneath a willow tree were brought back to France. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In the present piece, the artist carves from a stunning specimen of nephrite his vision of Napoléon’s final resting place. Here, Napoléon’s tomb is bedecked in the adornments of the Empire style, with a French Imperial eagle at each corner. The top of the tomb can be removed, revealing a tiny Napoléon figurine carved from nephrite, complete with his distinctive bicorne hat, resting inside. The tomb rests beneath the flowing limbs of a St. Helena willow tree, which is the one true-to-life element of this stunning and imaginative rendering. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Napoléon's exile to St. Helena in 1815 brought an end to the Napoleonic Wars that had dominated the preceding years. After his death in 1821, his body would spend another 19 years on the island in an unnamed tomb surrounded by a simple railing. Among the visitors to Napoléon’s grave was the English naturalist Charles Darwin. With regards to the gravesite, he wrote: \"…a tomb situated close by cottages and a frequented road does not create feelings in unison with the imagined resting place of so great a spirit… if Napoléon's ghost haunts his dreary place of confinement, this would be a most excellent night for such wandering Spirits.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Like Darwin, the craftsman of this extraordinary piece must have balked at the simplified resting place of the once-great leader. Yet, Napoléon would eventually find a more suitable burial place - in 1840, following a request from the King Louis-Philippe, Napoléon’s remains were returned to Paris, where they were entombed in the Dôme des Invalides. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1830 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 19 1\/4\" high x 15 1\/2\" wide x 9\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43316788035719,"sku":"30-4815","price":44500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-4815_1.png?v=1760369090"},{"product_id":"napoleons-footbath-by-george-bullock","title":"Napoléon's Footbath by George Bullock","description":"This amazing footbath was created for Napoleon Bonaparte. It was part of the toilet service to be used during his exile on St. Helena. Just before shipment, a member of Parliament rejected the service because its laurel leaf decoration looked too much like a victor’s wreath, and he did not want Napoleon to feel he had been victorious in any way. Though never used by Napoleon, the fact that this intriguing footbath was destined for one of the most significant figures in world history makes it a most desirable and important antique. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The toilet service designed by renowned cabinetmaker and sculptor George Bullock (1777 - 1818). Considered a major and most influential furniture maker of the early 19th century, Bullock was renowned his exceptional craftsmanship. Eventually, he expanded his specialty to include fine and decorative art design. In 1814, Bullock moved to London where he established his workshop. The superior quality of his work soon made him very successful and sought after for special commissions, including three major commissions, that of Great Tew Park, Cholmondely Castle and Abbotsford. His most prestigious commission, however, was to supply furniture and accessories for the exiled Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. As the toilet set was not to be used by the deposed leader, Bullock instead sold the set to Matthew Robinson Boulton of Tew Park, Oxfordshire.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Circa 1816  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  13 ¾” wide x 19 ¾” length x 7 ¾” high  ","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42293839069319,"sku":"29-9147","price":24500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/29-9147_1_0998dac1-e903-42a5-9969-f8c3f1c990a7.png?v=1738698584"},{"product_id":"regiment-des-dromedaires-camel-saddle","title":"Regiment des Dromedaires Camel Saddle","description":"This fascinating piece of military history is a camel saddle created for and used by the Dromedary Regiment (Regiment des Dromedaires) during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaigns between 1798 and 1801. The term “dromedary” refers to the dromedary camel, better known as the Arabian camel, that features a single hump on its back. This saddle is perfectly suited to fit snuggly around the hump and secure two soldiers upon the camel’s back. The wooden saddle bears iron reinforcements and brass mountings with openwork underlain with silver. The dromedary camel proved to be a vital asset for Napoleon’s military campaign, due to the fact the animal is well adapted to life in desert, able to transport a large amounts of cargo and is highly intelligent and easily managed. Specialized equipment such as this saddle was needed to properly outfit the camels for military use. The Regiment des Dromedaires was created upon the onset of Napoleon’s arrival in Egypt in January, 1798. These soldiers were hand-selected infantrymen who actually fought dismounted.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCirca 1800\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n51” length","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41347118399623,"sku":"29-4027","price":19850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/29-4027_1.png?v=1715329245"},{"product_id":"napoleon-iii-giltwood-mirror","title":"Napoleon III Giltwood Mirror","description":"Grand in size and decoration, this exceptional Napoleon III-period mirror is further set apart by an elaborate giltwood frame that features decorative elements such as garlands, doves, a basket of flowers, and Apollo's torch. The magnificent size, expertly executed woodwork and beautiful condition of this mirror make it a prized specimen of 19th-century French design. Costly and labor-intensive to produce, mirrors such as this were considered luxury items, their ownership limited to an exclusive few. The finest were made by the best craftsmen in the area and to find one in such superb condition is truly rare. \n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCirca 1870 \n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n55 1\/4\" wide x 78\" high \n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nLargely due to the influence of Emperor Napoleon III, who wished to have his name associated with the classical grandeur of Rome and cement his place in French history, the decorative style of this period, known as the Second Empire, is distinguished by a vast mixture of styles from previous centuries. Eclecticism reigned as craftsmen revisited the most opulent styles from decades past and created their own elaborate versions. Artisans were inspired by the Renaissance, Henri II furniture, Boulle furniture of the baroque period, rococo and neoclassic Louis XVI furniture. Inspiration also came from the near and far East, as the treasures of China, Japan and Constantinople made their way to Europe.","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41239057891463,"sku":"29-2041","price":38500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/29-2041_1_6c9f6d5d-63b4-4f35-9cce-60604f298fa3.png?v=1712739509"},{"product_id":"napoleon-iii-porcelain-basket","title":"Napoleon III Porcelain Basket","description":"A delightful French basket mounted in doré bronze which provides the framework for the six panels veneered in mother-of-pearl and set with French porcelain plaques. Interior lined in silk. Circa 1870.","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43874594947207,"sku":"28-7825","price":2985.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/28-7825_1_55043873-c22e-4727-a99f-112d800a36ef.png?v=1792175135"},{"product_id":"french-louis-xvi-style-bronze-chenets","title":"French Louis XVI-Style Bronze Chenets","description":"This wonderful pair of Louis XVI-style bronze chenets features patinated, cloaked cherub figures seated on ornate gilt bronze plateau and keeping themselves warm by the fire. Chenets, or andirons, were a staple in well-appointed homes, and were placed in front of a fireplace to protect priceless rugs and flooring from rolling logs. Only the grandest homes had chenets as beautifully designed as these.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCirca 1870\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n11 1\/8” wide x 7” deep x 17” high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41239089086599,"sku":"29-8398","price":12500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/29-8398_1_fc4f60c6-4cb2-4e46-8aab-16e7e947cee5.png?v=1712738617"},{"product_id":"portrait-of-napoleon-ii-attributed-to-johann-peter-krafft","title":"Portrait of Napoléon II attributed to Johann Peter Krafft","description":"Attributed to Johann Peter Krafft\u003cbr\u003e 1780-1856 | Austrian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePortrait of Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Remnants of signature (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The son of the legendary Napoléon Bonaparte, Napoléon François Charles Joseph, takes a spirited stance in this remarkable oil painting attributed to the Austrian portraitist Johann Peter Krafft. Believed to have been exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris, this work stands as a testament to both Austrian artistry and the legacy of one of the most powerful men in history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e After Napoléon's exile to the island of Elba in 1814, his son was seen by many of his supporters as the last hope of France. The child was named the ruler of half of Europe, holding the titles of Napoléon II, King of Rome, Prince of Parma, and the Duke of Reichstadt, the last given to him by his grandfather, Austria’s Emperor Francis II.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Following his father’s capture, the then four-year-old Napoléon and his mother fled to her homeland of Austria, never to see the fallen Emperor of France again. Once under the protection of the Habsburg Court, there was a concerted effort to sever all ties to his father. His mother left him in Vienna to pursue her own personal interests. In her absence, his grandfather assumed guardianship and gave him the title of the Duke of Reichstadt, dismissed all of his French attendants, and even disallowed the child to be referred to as “Napoléon”, instead insisting on the name “Franz” or “Francis”.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e   This portrait, which dates roughly to 1818, features the young Napoléon II as he gazes directly at the viewer and assumes a pose of nonchalant authority. He wears the dress of a Spanish Grandee, a style of costuming that enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the late years of the prior century with the advent of the majismo tradition. The incorporation of it here, however, has been tied to the young Napoléon II’s acquisition of a new title in 1818 - the Duke of Reichstadt. It was this new title that was purportedly celebrated with a large costume ball, and it is for this reason, as interpreted by experts, that Napoléon II wears such distinctive garb in this portrait.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A closer look at the technique and style of this painting leads one to draw connections to the work of Johann Peter Krafft, who devoted much of his career to history and portrait painting. Born in Hanau, Germany, Krafft eventually moved to Vienna near the end of the eighteenth century and subsequently enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts, Austria’s preeminent artistic academy. First studying alongside Heinrich Friedrich Füger, a history painter, Krafft was also afforded training under the masterful eye of Neoclassical painter Jacques-Louis David in Paris the early 1800s. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shortly after this time abroad, Krafft returned to Vienna to establish his studio and gained fast acclaim for his striking portraits. His work garnered him membership in the Academy of Fine Arts as well as a professorial appointment there in 1823; in 1828, he was appointed the director of the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, which still today is considered one of Austria’s most impressive artistic collections. Throughout these accomplishments, Krafft continued to accept increasingly prestigious commissions, including those from Emperor Franz I and his court. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Painted in 1818 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 55 1\/4\" high x 36 3\/8\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 63 1\/2\" high x 44 1\/4\" wide \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance: \u003cbr\u003e Haro, La Maison au Genie des Arts, 30 Rue du Colombier, Paris (label stamped on the reverse of the original canvas, the firm was at this address from 1826 - 1836); \u003cbr\u003e Sibylle-Gabrielle Marie-Antoinette de Riquetti de Mirabeau, Comtesse de Martel de Janville, from 1849 until 1932, (French author who wrote under the pseudonym Gyp);\u003cbr\u003e Thereafter, by descent in the family;\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Michigan, until 2018 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited: \u003cbr\u003e Exposition Universelle de 1900, Paris, April 15 - November 12, 1900 (according to tradition in the Comtesse de Martel de Janville's family)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43641745703047,"sku":"30-9335","price":128500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-9335_1_69d04491-9210-4d3c-b0ae-7d800e75fd70.png?v=1769760834"},{"product_id":"saint-cosmas-and-saint-damian-attributed-to-bonifacio-bembo","title":"Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian attributed to Bonifacio Bembo","description":"Attributed to Bonifacio Bembo\u003cbr\u003e 1420-1478 | Italy \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSaint Cosmas and Saint Damian\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tempera on panel \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e These exceptionally rare early Renaissance panels of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian are an extraordinary new discovery. Based on the research of art historians Marco Tanzi and Andrea de Marchi, it is believed that these represent the missing panels from the famed polyptych formerly displayed on the altar of the Chapel of San Nicola da Tolentino in the Church of Sant’Agostino in Cremona, Italy. To find two matching early Renaissance panels outside of a museum or church, particularly in such remarkable condition, is an extraordinary rarity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The central and left-sided panels of the original five-part polyptych are currently in the collection of the Museo Civico Ala Ponzone in Cremona. These panels have luckily remained intact, and respectively portray the\u003cem\u003e Madonna and Child Enthroned with Angels and Donor, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino\u003c\/em\u003e (the chapel’s namesake) and \u003cem\u003eSaint George\u003c\/em\u003e.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e While the present panels have since been reduced, that they belong to the Cremonese altarpiece is confirmed by a number of stylistic elements. All five panels contain the same rich decorative arabesque pattern on their stamped gold background, while the figures’ knurled haloes are identical in both their fineness of line and use of perspective. The proportions of the figures coincide perfectly; Saints Cosmas and Damian would have originally also been depicted as full-length figures, fitting into the vertical, Gothic style of the altarpiece. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e According to the Christian religion, Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian were 3rd century physicians born in Arabia. Little is known about their lives except that they were reputedly twin brothers and that they were martyred in Syria during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. It was believed that the saints were skilled in healing, and when their medicines failed, their faith and prayers could always perform miracles. Thus, the saints are often depicted with their medical equipment while wearing the traditional medieval doctor’s garb of crimson robes and distinctive round red hats. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The saints are similarly depicted in the present panels, though considering the manner in which they have been cut, their medical tools are not immediately evident. The saints were highly popular as patrons of wealthy families during the Gothic and Renaissance eras, particularly the Medici, and thus they occur frequently in art from the era. The twins, for instance, are found in the famed San Marco Altarpiece by Fra Angelico in the San Marco Museum (Florence), as well as in a set of Medici panels crafted by Filippo Lippi currently in the collection of the National Gallery (London). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Along with the remainder of the Cremonese altarpiece, these present panels have been attributed to the Northern Italian Renaissance painter Bonifacio Bembo. Active in Cremona throughout the 15th century, he would have been a natural choice for the construction of the altarpiece, which was to be part of a new chapel dedicated to San Nicola da Tolentina in the church of Sant'Agostino in Cremona. The Cavalcabò chapel, which is also in the Sant'Agostino, is similarly attributed to him. Several other of his works can be found in museums and churches throughout Italy and beyond, including the Pinacoteca di Brera (Milan), Denver Museum of Art, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Paris), among others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1454-1458 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Panel: 14 5\/8” high x 11 3\/8” wide (37.15 x 28.89 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 22 3\/4” high x 19 1\/2” wide x 2 1\/2\" deep (57.79 x 49.53 x 6.35 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rau-sfimages.s3.amazonaws.com\/dossier\/Dossier_30-8695.pdf\" target=\"new\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eView the Dossier\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This work was exhibited at The European Fine Art Fair. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, London\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44050894815367,"sku":"30-8695","price":248500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-8695_1_e3932cdd-d2ed-4759-b626-be58a4b708f0.png?v=1774967625"},{"product_id":"napoleon-iii-ebonized-wood-pedestals","title":"Napoleon III Ebonized Wood Pedestals ","description":"This pair of Napoleon III pedestals exhibits exceptional artistry and craftsmanship. Constructed of ebonized wood, these monumental stands evoke the best elements of 18th- and 19th-century design, with doré bronze mounts, painted porcelain plaques and black Nero marble tops. Boasting an elegant neoclassical shape, these pedestals stand just over four feet tall and shimmer with mother-of-pearl inlay. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Napoleon III period, sometimes called Second Empire, incorporated the best elements of France’s illustrious historical styles. Usually crafted of mahogany and ebony, furniture of the period was adorned with inlay of box, holly, pear and walnut woods, as well as porcelain, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl and ormolu ornaments. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Largely due to the influence of Emperor Napoleon III, who wished to have his name associated with the classical grandeur of Rome and cement his place in French history, the decorative style of the mid- to late-19th century is distinguished by a vast mixture of styles from previous centuries. Eclecticism reigned as craftsmen revisited the most opulent styles from decades past and created their own elaborate versions. Artisans were inspired by the Renaissance age, Boulle furniture of the Baroque period and the Louis XVI style. These pedestals represent the opulent and eclectic designs of this popular era. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1870 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e 16 1\/4” wide x 11 3\/4” deep x 49 1\/2” high\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41239088464007,"sku":"29-8344","price":34850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/29-8344_1_b1dcba5a-4232-4153-8a75-3551834dc5a6.png?v=1712738634"},{"product_id":"the-last-days-of-napoleon-by-vincenzo-vela","title":"The Last Days of Napoléon by Vincenzo Vela","description":"Vincenzo Vela\u003cbr\u003e 1820-1891 | Swiss \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLast Days of Napoléon\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bronze on green marble base\u003cbr\u003e Signed “V. Vela. F 1867” and \"F. Barbedienne, Fondeur, Paris\" (base) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This highly evocative bronze by Vincenzo Vela captures the deposed Emperor Napoléon on his deathbed, holding a map of Europe and lost in thought about what might have been. Remarkable among most portrayals of the exiled leader, this highly detailed sculpture depicts Napoléon at his most vulnerable. Nonetheless, Vela perfectly captures his still-heroic bearing, which imparts to this work a monumental quality and quiet dignity. The mate to this figure is the colossal marble at the Musée du Château de Malmaison, which was shown at the Paris \u003cem\u003eSalon\u003c\/em\u003e of 1867. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The founder of the \u003cem\u003everismo\u003c\/em\u003e movement in Italy, Vela was one of the great exponents of realism in sculpture. Born in Ligornetto, Switzerland in 1820, he studied under celebrated sculptor, Benedetto Cacciatori. He was also influenced both by the work of Tuscan sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini, who seamlessly combined neoclassicism with naturalism and the romantic painting of Francesco Hayez. Vela soon became one of the most important promoters of realist and \u003cem\u003everist \u003c\/em\u003esculpture, which emphasized true-to-life depictions of subjects. This was a reaction to the more idealistic, classical aesthetic espoused by artists such as Canova. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Vela taught at the Albertina Academy in Turin for many years and showed his work at numerous Salons in Italy. His oeuvre is best remembered for its exploration of the social and heroic value of human action. A fervent patriot, he was active both politically and culturally and was elected to the Grand Council in Ticino. Today, many of Vela’s works are preserved in the Museo Vela at Ligornetto, and others can be found in Lugano, Bellinzona, Airolo, as well as Milan and Turin. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 9\" wide x 15\" deep x 17\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43316891910279,"sku":"31-2545","price":44850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-2545_1.png?v=1760369243"},{"product_id":"perseus-by-ubaldo-gandolfi","title":"Perseus by Ubaldo Gandolfi","description":"Ubaldo Gandolfi\u003cbr\u003e 1728-1781 | Italian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePerseus\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Terracotta \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The legendary Greek god Perseus is the subject of this elegant half-bust by Ubaldo Gandolfi, a major painter and sculptor from Bologna. The son of Zeus and Danaë, Perseus was the legendary founder of Mycenae and the Perseid dynasty, best remembered as the hero who vanquished the Gorgon Medusa. He is depicted here donning the Helmet of Hades (also known as the Cap of Invisibility), which was gifted to him by Athena to aid him in his quest to defeat the snake-haired Medusa and escape her sister. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Formed from terracotta, the bust is a significant work from this artist who worked primarily as a painter. Because Bologna lacks marble quarries, artists from the region worked in more readily available materials such as clay and terracotta. Giuseppe Mazza and Angelo Pìo, along with Gandolfi himself, excelled in the medium, creating highly detailed works from the moldable material. Other works in terracotta by the artist can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) and the church of San Giovanni (Monte, Bologna). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mid-18th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 15 1\/2\" high x 8 1\/2\" wide x 6\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43316892008583,"sku":"31-2772","price":34500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-2772_1_b8a0c10b-6ad2-40d1-b96e-eeb66eff1f2c.png?v=1760369249"},{"product_id":"jimmy-the-greeks-personal-address-book","title":"Jimmy the Greek's Personal Address Book","description":"This unassuming address book once belonged to famed sports commentator Jimmy Snyder, known simply as “Jimmy the Greek,” and it is an incredible piece of professional sports and American media memorabilia. It contains the contact information for a laundry list of notable celebrities, athletes and political figures that Snyder collected during his long career, each recorded by Snyder himself over the decades. Some memorable entries include comedian Bob Hope, actor Warren Beatty, football coach John Madden and talk show legend Larry King. Other ephemera within the address book includes various business cards, five horse betting OTB stubs, an Amtrak ticket from NYP to WAS and an obituary for philanthropist Reuben Paul Rosen. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Jimmy Snyder was among the most colorful and charismatic personalities in the world of sportscasting and sports betting. Known best for his work on \u003cem\u003eThe NFL Today\u003c\/em\u003e predicting game scores during the 1970s and 80s, he was instrumental in helping bring gambling into the athletic world’s mainstream. This compelling piece of Americana provides fascinating insight into the personal life of not only Jimmy the Greek, but also a number of 20th-century pop culture legends. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 4 7\/8\" wide x 3\/4\" deep x 7 3\/4\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43873956364423,"sku":"31-2754","price":8850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-2754_1.png?v=1792174303"},{"product_id":"nema-cipher-machine","title":"NEMA Cipher Machine","description":"The Swiss NEMA cipher machine is an extraordinary part of both military and mechanical engineering history. Known as the \u003cem\u003eNeue Machine\u003c\/em\u003e, or “New Machine,” the NEMA was developed by Zellweger AG in Uster, Switzerland during World War II to replace the German-engineered “Enigma K” after the Swiss realized that both the Allies and the Germans were able to break the Swiss traffic. One of the few rare models intended as a war machine, the present tool is an exceptionally well-preserved example of this extraordinary machine. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Visually similar to the Enigma, the NEMA used a 10-wheel mechanism: five “stepping” or “drive” wheels, four coding wheels (rotors) and one reflector wheel that is movable during encryption. The use of the reflector allowed designers to effectively replace the plug board found on the Enigma. The reflector and coding wheels are the only wheels that are electrically wired, while the stepping wheels feature mechanical cams that control the stepping of the coding and reflector wheels. The addition of the movable reflector and stepping wheels allowed the NEMA codes to be more “irregular” and, therefore, harder to break. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Developed between 1941 and 1943 by a team of Swiss mathematics professors led by Captain Arthur Alder at the University of Bern, the prototype was completed in 1944. After modifications in 1945, the final versions were created by Zellweger AG and released for service in 1947. Though too late to be utilized during World War II, the NEMA became widely used by the Swiss Army and the Diplomatic Service during the Cold War era. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Only 640 of these machines are believed to have been created by Zellweger AG. This particular model was one of the rare war machines that were kept in reserve storage to be used in the event of war, and these models are extraordinarily rare. The case features the following label:\u003cem\u003eNur bei Kriegsmobilmachung abgeben! Ne délivrer qu'en cas de mobilisation de guerre! Da consegn. solo in caso di mobilitazione di guerra !\u003c\/em\u003e, meaning “Issue only in case of war mobilization” in three languages, German, French and Italian. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The NEMA machine bears its original plaques and it is marked with its serial number TD-459. It also comes complete with its original operating manual. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1946 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 12 3\/4“ wide x 14 3\/8“ deep x 5 3\/4” high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43873915928711,"sku":"31-4145","price":34500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-4145_1_ef65c187-27f2-4565-af95-a8e8bcb2aea4.png?v=1792172959"},{"product_id":"napoleonic-prisoner-of-war-guillotine-1","title":"Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War Guillotine","description":"An incredible and extremely rare artifact of world history, this mutton bone model of a guillotine was created during the Napoleonic Wars by a French prisoner of war. Many of the inmates at the prisoner of war camps were skilled artisans long before they were soldiers, and because of the long duration of the conflict and cost of care, their captors encouraged detainees to use their skills to create objects to be sold at civilian open markets. Because of the intricacy of these fascinating objets d'art, very few of these models have survived the test of time. This masterpiece is impeccably detailed with soldiers and cannons lining the platforms. Adding to the rarity of this piece is that it has moving parts, as only a scant few model carvings were ever created with such mechanical accuracy. The soldiers have movable arms, while the guillotine features a movable \"blade\" for added authenticity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e By many accounts, Napoleonic prisoners of war were confined to mostly makeshift prisons in old castles, naval dockyards and purpose-built camps. Though treated fairly well, prisoners were typically kept in rather dark conditions and were not allowed to have objects that could be used as weapons, including tools. That means inmates would have had to create these amazing models using handmade tools made of whatever was available, including shards of glass for carving. Additionally, this activity was most likely done by candlelight. With this perspective, the precision and intricacy of this model become even more incredible.   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1810 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 7 5\/8\" wide x 10 1\/4\" deep x 18\" high\u003cbr\u003e With stand: 9 1\/2\" wide x 11 3\/4\" deep x 20 1\/2\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43332546003079,"sku":"31-5104","price":39850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-5104_1_b657dd3a-89a7-4d45-b4a5-7a6f433e531a.png?v=1762003490"},{"product_id":"married-love-by-oscar-nemon","title":"Married Love by Oscar Nemon","description":"Oscar Nemon\u003cbr\u003e 1906 - 1985 | Croatian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Nemon” (on reverse)\u003cbr\u003e Bronze resin with green patina \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This rousing and sentimental sculpture, commissioned by Lady Churchill herself, was created by revered Croatian sculptor Oscar Nemon. It stands as a testament to the lasting love between the steadfast British leader, Sir Winston Churchill, and his wife, Lady Clementine Spencer Churchill. Lady Clementine sits smiling, legs crossed with her arms outstretched towards her husband. Sir Winston leans back in a casual, relaxed pose, with a serious yet calm expression. Entitled \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e, the bronze resin composition is a reflection of the humanity and devotion between two of Great Britain’s finest politicians. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Nemon first met the great Sir Winston Churchill in 1951 in Marrakech, Morocco, where the pair formed a friendship. The artist was already a great admirer of the statesman. As a Croatian before emigrating to Britain in 1938, Nemon lost the great majority of his family in the Holocaust, and Churchill's efforts to defeat the Nazis deeply resonated with Nemon. When he and the Prime Minister finally met, the artist sculpted Churchill in his hotel room at La Mamounia, aided by preliminary sketches that survive today. Perhaps moved by the occasion of sculpting one of his heroes, Nemon’s rendition exudes an intensity and lifelike dynamism that greatly impressed the Churchills. As a result of the artist's success in rendering the leader, he was selected by Queen Elizabeth II the following year to create another bust of Churchill for Windsor Castle. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Lady Churchill long admired Oscar Nemon’s 1951 bust of her husband, later saying of the sculpture: “That is how I see him and that is how I love him.” Over twenty years after their first meeting, following the statesman’s death, Lady Churchill requested that Nemon create a sculpture of the couple together. Nemon joined the widow at her home in Princes Gate, London, where she sat for her portrait. The artist then used his previous experience sculpting the Prime Minister to create \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e, masterfully capturing the love shared between the powerful duo.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oscar Nemon was born to a close Jewish family in Osijek, a bustling city in eastern Croatia. Already a burgeoning artist by the time he arrived in Vienna in the mid-1920s, he met Sigmund Freud and made several sculptures of the psychologist and his dog, Topsy. Nemon enrolled at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1925, where he won a gold medal for his sculpture. He remained in Brussels, sharing a home with René Magritte, until the outset of World War II in 1939 when he fled to England. His achievements in his first Churchill sculpture launched the artist to greater acclaim, and he would go on to make a number of busts of high-profile figures, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Harry S Truman, Margaret Thatcher and more. Many of his sculptures are recognizable for their use of bronze resin, often called \"cold cast bronze,\" which is created with a mixture of bronze powder and epoxy or other resin. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e is further distinguished by unbroken provenance, with its previous owners acquiring it directly from Nemon’s studio. The original large-scale bronze stands on the grounds of Chartwell, and another version of this sculpture resides in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/msrauantiques2022.my.salesforce.com\/sfc\/p\/8c000000eEg1\/a\/Vb000000cOao\/CASGdIPcNcKWkfLmXQBf7TzlumVWw2U1V1aW4ymxgt0\"\u003eBlenheim Palace,\u003c\/a\u003e the birthplace of Winston Churchill and the only non-royal house in the United Kingdom to hold the title of “Palace.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Conceived circa 1978 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 19“ high x 29 5\/8” wide x 19“ deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e The Sunday Telegraph, 12 March 1978 (ill.b\u0026amp;w) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e The Artist, from whom acquired directly by the family of the previous owner in 1978\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Canada","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42603713691783,"sku":"31-6571","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6571_1.png?v=1746450586"},{"product_id":"sigmund-freud-by-oscar-nemon","title":"Sigmund Freud by Oscar Nemon","description":"Oscar Nemon\u003cbr\u003e 1906 - 1985 | Croatian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSigmund Freud\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Nemon”\u003cbr\u003e Bronze resin \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This original bronze of Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was crafted by renowned Croatian sculptor Oscar Nemon. In 1931, Nemon was commissioned to sculpt Freud for his 75th birthday. After Nemon initially sketched a skeptical Freud in pencil, he returned the following day with a preliminary rendering in clay, effectively convincing Freud of his skill. Nemon sought to capture Freud’s physical likeness and contemplative inner world, linking the famed psychoanalyst’s public persona with the humanity of the man behind the revered name. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Freud was very pleased with the final result, which was produced in carved wood, bronze and plaster. In fact, Freud wrote in his diary of the initial 1931 Nemon sculpture, “The head, which the gaunt, goatee-beard artist has fashioned from the dirt — like the good Lord —is very good and an astonishingly life-like impression of me.” Freud chose to keep the wood carving for his own personal collection and it is now on display in the Freud Museum in Hampstead. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oscar Nemon was born to a close Jewish family in Osijek, a bustling city in eastern Croatia. Already a burgeoning artist, shortly after he arrived in Vienna in the mid-1920s, he met Sigmund Freud and made several sculptures of the psychologist and his dog, Topsy. Nemon enrolled at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1925, where he won a gold medal for his sculpture. He remained in Brussels, sharing a home with René Magritte, until the outset of World War II in 1939 when he fled to England. Nemon would go on to make a number of busts of high-profile figures, including Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Harry S Truman, Margaret Thatcher and more. Many of his sculptures are recognizable for their use of bronze resin, often called \"cold cast bronze,\" which is created with a mixture of bronze powder and epoxy or other resin.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Conceived 1931 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 13 3\/4\" high x 5 3\/4” wide x 7 3\/4“ deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43316909080711,"sku":"31-6569","price":9850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6569_1.png?v=1783365707"},{"product_id":"henry-bowles-howard-12th-earl-of-suffolk-and-5th-earl-of-berkshire-by-sir-joshua-reynolds","title":"Henry Bowles Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk and 5th Earl of Berkshire by Sir Joshua Reynolds","description":"Sir Joshua Reynolds\u003cbr\u003e 1723-1792 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSir Henry Bowles Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk and 5th Earl of Berkshire\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Sir Joshua Reynolds is unequivocally considered the most important English portraitist of the 18th century who was instrumental in adapting the Grand Manner style in the portrait genre. In fact, when the Royal Academy was founded in 1768, Reynolds was elected its first President, setting the precedent of quality for which all other portraitists would strive. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Reynolds's portrait of Henry Bowles Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk, showcases his genius in the genre and mastery over the medium. Reynolds’s portrait of the Earl expertly invokes classical values with strong lighting, rich colors and expert attention to detail to help underscore the prominence and revered echelon of the sitter. Howard was an esteemed British politician and Knight of the Garter. He served as Secretary of State for the Northern Department from 1771 to 1779, and he played a key role in utilizing mercenaries during the American Revolution and safeguarding Sweden's independence. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The portrait employs Reynolds's signature style to render Howard rightfully as a gentleman of distinction. Captured seated in a stately library, the Earl appears learned and austere as he places one hand upon a stack of important documents and looks wistfully into the distance. Reynolds makes these compositional choices decisively, as the seated position gives Howard a weighty appearance of importance and the semi-profile turn captures his countenance at an attractive angle that highlights his strong, masculine features. The work draws on the classical conventions of Greek and Roman art and the Italian Renaissance masters, anchoring the nobleman in a history of refinement. Everything from his strong yet welcoming expression to his pale face enlivened by a rush of blood to the cheeks presents the picture of a strong, vital and powerful leader. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e As the first president of the Royal Academy in London, Reynolds’s commissions raised the status of an artist in Britain during the Romantic period and also established the portrait as an esteemed high art genre that garnered equal import to the history paintings that reigned supreme in decades prior. Today, Reynolds’s works grace the walls of the most important museums in the world, including the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Gallery in London, among others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1770 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 50 1\/2\" high x 40 1\/4\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Framed: 61\" high x 52 1\/2\" wide x 3 1\/2\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Sir Henry Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk and 5th Earl of Berkshire, 1739-1779\u003cbr\u003e His mother, Lady Mary Howard, née Finch, Lady Andover, d. 1803\u003cbr\u003e Acquired by descent to her daughter, Frances, and her husband Richard Bagot (later Howard)\u003cbr\u003e Acquired by descent to their daughter, Mary (1784-1877), and her husband Col. Fulke Greville Upton (later Howard), d. 1846\u003cbr\u003e Acquired by descent to Lieutenant Colonel H.R.G. Howard\u003cbr\u003e Sale, Christie's, London, March 24, 1961, no. 29\u003cbr\u003e Julius Weitzner, London and New York\u003cbr\u003e Sale, Paris, Musée Galliéra, December 7, 1965, no. 165\u003cbr\u003e Newhouse Galleries, New York, NY\u003cbr\u003e Mr. and Mrs. F. Howard Walsh, Fort Worth, Texas, 1966\u003cbr\u003e Walsh Family Art Trust\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Oregon\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited:\u003cbr\u003e British Institution, London, 1844, no. 130, loaned by the Hon. Fulke Greville Howard.\u003cbr\u003e South Kensington, \"Second special exhibition of National Portraits,\" 1867, no. 478, lent by the Hon. Mrs. Greville.\u003cbr\u003e Agnew's, London, 1903, no. 17. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e Algernon Graves and W. V. Cronin, A History of the Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A., vol. 3 (London, 1899), p. 945.\u003cbr\u003e David Mannings, Sir Joshua Reynolds. A Complete Catalogue of His Paintings (New Haven, 2000), p. 267, no. 951, illus. fig. 1274.","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43641746292871,"sku":"31-8220","price":248500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-8220_1_2a0d54e5-29e5-4457-8b55-97280637356f.png?v=1767194743"},{"product_id":"churchill-bronze-bust-by-vivien-mallock-9-12","title":"Churchill Bronze Bust by Vivien Mallock 9\/12","description":"Vivien Mallock\u003cbr\u003e b.1945 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSir Winston Churchill\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “VM” and numbered \"9\/12\"\u003cbr\u003e Bronze with a brown patina \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Winston Churchill stands as one of the greatest leaders of the modern world and is among the most recognizable figures in Western history. This bronze bust by the English sculptor Vivien Mallock masterfully captures his unmistakable visage, as well as his determined air and strong resilience. It is the ninth in a series of only twelve, and it stands as a compelling tribute to one of the greatest wartime leaders in history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This bust was first conceived as a commission by the British Ministry of Defence to give as a gift to the United States Department of Defense in 2015, where it was dedicated at the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes. Several sculptors were invited to submit designs and compete for the high-profile commission, but it was Mallock who received the prestigious honor. Following the sculpture’s unveiling, Mallock produced a limited series of twelve bronze casts of the work.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Striking and remarkably true to life, this sculpture captures the Prime Minister’s inner strength and indomitable spirit. Mallock took the unusual step of including her subject’s arms and hands positioned firmly on his chest in the bust — an artistic choice that lends not only personality but also a sense of gravitas and calm confidence to the portrayal. His strong stance and focused gaze reflect this legendary politician's steadfast leadership and resistance to defeat.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Vivien Mallock's artistic focus lies in portraying the legacy of Great Britain through war memorials and portraits dedicated to some of the country’s most notable figures. She began working in bronze in the 1980s, and her first major commission came from the Museum of Army Flying in Hampshire for several bronze portraits of WWII fighter pilots to mark the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. She was the last artist for whom the Queen Mother sat for a portrait, and the resulting bronze now resides in the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother wing of St Mary’s Hospital Trust in London. She has received multiple prestigious public commissions for monuments and statues around England and abroad. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bust: 20 1\/2\" wide x 13 1\/4\" deep x 26 1\/8\" high\u003cbr\u003e With pedestal: 14 1\/8\" wide x 14 1\/4\" deep x 40 1\/2\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43687164248199,"sku":"31-3850","price":178500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-3850_1.png?v=1767193167"},{"product_id":"french-empire-troubadour-mantel-clock","title":"French Empire Troubadour Mantel Clock","description":"This resplendent French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock features an extraordinarily detailed scene of a singing troubadour with his lyre along a rocky river bank. Accompanied by a winged Cupid suspended gracefully in flight and a poetic inscription, this troubadour clock is the essence of Neoclassical refinement that defined the aristocratic tastes of the Empire period. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This clock's exquisite ormolu case evokes the rough-hewn rockery and wave pattern of a babbling brook, placing the troubadour and Cupid in an idyllic pastoral landscape. One of the rock faces is inscribed with a poetic meditation on love in French that translates to: \"In his youth the troubadour \/ Love's sweet song did sing \/ But the practicing of love \/ Adult years did bring!\" Visually striking and thought-provoking, this mantel clock would have served as the utmost expression of Empire luxury and sophistication. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The craftsmanship of this extraordinary clock also sets it apart among these elaborate timepieces. The clock and its case rest on a beautiful Vert de Mer marble base, embellished with a plethora of intricate classical motifs, including additional musical instruments that complement the troubadour's lyre and scrolling garlands. The clock's pendulum is fully functional, and the white enameled dial features Breguet hands and the signature of Le Roy, the Horloger de Madame à Paris, one of the most prestigious French clockmaking firms of the 18th and 19th centuries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1810 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 17 1\/2\" high x 13 1\/8\" wide x 6 1\/2\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44028029042823,"sku":"31-8655","price":28500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-8655_1.png?v=1774961222"},{"product_id":"pair-of-charles-ii-silver-communion-cups-and-patens","title":"Pair of Charles II Silver Communion Cups and Patens","description":"These extremely rare 17th-century communion cups and patens were a part of the cherished communion plate at St. Alkmund's in Shrewsbury for over three centuries, embodying its rich and sacred history. The parish was likely founded in the 10th century by Queen Æthelflæd, daughter of King Alfred. These items were among their most important liturgical vessels, traditionally used to hold the Eucharistic bread and wine. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Crafted in the pre-Reformation style, these cups reflect a return to tradition during the Gothic Revival era. Their beautifully shaped knopped stems and matching patens exhibit the understated elegance favored by early English Protestants. The patens also function as covers, and each features a small hole at the center of the closed foot, suggesting previous mounting for display. Despite centuries of daily use, their condition remains remarkably preserved, a testament to the enduring resilience of silver and the lasting importance of these sacred vessels in religious practice and heritage. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hallmarked \"HR\" London, 1683-84 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cups: 8 3\/8\" high x 4 1\/4\" wide x 4 1\/4\" deep\u003cbr\u003e Patens: 1 1\/2\" high x 5\" wide x 5\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e St. Alkmund’s, Shrewsbury 1684-2008\u003cbr\u003e Sale, Christie’s London, 25 November 2008, lot 270\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e Red McCombs Collection, Texas\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43875311124615,"sku":"31-9384","price":28500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9384_1.png?v=1793085416"},{"product_id":"sir-winston-churchill-bronze-by-ivor-roberts-jones","title":"Sir Winston Churchill Bronze by Ivor Roberts-Jones","description":"Ivor Roberts-Jones\u003cbr\u003e 1913-1996 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSir Winston Churchill\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Numbered “132” (on base)\u003cbr\u003e Bronze with a brown patina on a stone base \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “My dear friends, this is your hour.” These were Winston Churchill’s words as he spoke on the evening of the Allied victory in Europe, and so ended the Second World War. A man of undeniable strength and resilience, Winston Churchill stands as one of the greatest leaders of the modern world. This important bronze masterfully captures the man’s irrepressible air of determination and indomitable character. Crafted by Ivor Roberts-Jones, the sculpture is an edition of the original maquette for the large-scale monument of the prime minister found in Parliament Square. One of England's most recognizable public monuments, it stands as a magnificent tribute to one of the greatest wartime heroes in history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Roberts-Jones crafted the original maquette in 1971, and it was from this preliminary model that he created his monumental bronze. Following the monument's unveiling, the sculpture was so popular that a series of cast versions of the maquette was created. These were subsequently offered exclusively to Roberts-Jones' clients and the original subscribers to Churchill’s recently published Collected Works. This exceptional example is numbered 132 conceived as an edition of 500 that were cast by Meridian Bronze Foundry. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It was in 1967, two years after Churchill's death, that the commemorative sculpture of Churchill was first envisioned, and it was decided that Parliament Square was the most appropriate area. In fact, Churchill himself had suggested the location before his death. Eight sculptors were invited to submit designs and compete for the high-profile commission. Roberts-Jones’s maquette was shortlisted, and after a few minor design changes, he was officially awarded the commission in March 1971. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Ivor Roberts-Jones rose to prominence in 1961 thanks to an influential commission from Lord Beaverbrook for a bust of the British playwright Somerset Maugham. He earned his first full-scale commission in 1964 for a sculpture of the British painter Augustus John. After its completion in 1967, Roberts-Jones was elected as an associate of the Royal Academy. He became a full member in 1973, following the completion of his Churchill monument. This bronze is an extraordinary symbol of the sculptor's single greatest achievement. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1971 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 9 3\/4\" wide x 7 1\/4\" deep x 20\" high \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e Peter Cannon-Brookes, \u003cem\u003eIvor Roberts-Jones: The Journey to Harlech\u003c\/em\u003e, London: Trefoli Books, 1983, pp. 51-59 (another cast illustrated). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Pennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44027721580679,"sku":"31-9069","price":275000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9069_1_472ee2bd-0175-4118-ab09-1515faed081a.png?v=1774966820"},{"product_id":"paul-storr-abolitionist-silver-trays","title":"Paul Storr Abolitionist Silver Trays","description":"Abolitionist Silver Trays\u003cbr\u003e Paul Storr\u003cbr\u003e Each Tray Hallmarked London, 1818 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e These highly important sterling silver trays by renowned English silversmith Paul Storr were gifted by the Isle of Mauritius to its famed abolitionist leader, Sir Robert Townsend Farquhar. Exceptional in their quality and beauty, the monumental commemorative trays feature highly detailed engravings, inscriptions and elegant scrollwork borders that epitomize Storr's exceptional craftsmanship. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e During the Napoleonic Wars, England seized Mauritius from the French and installed Farquhar as its first governor. With Farquhar as leader, the island quickly saw economic and social changes, becoming an important hub of transcontinental cultural and artistic life. His anti-slavery effort was met with resistance from many powerful parties, yet he pushed through with reforms. In 1817 he took a three-year hiatus from the post, and the country was so grateful for his service and hopeful that he would return, they gifted to him these exceptional trays by the most important silversmith in Regency England, Paul Storr. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e While the trays feature matching acanthus and shell motif borders and handles, they display two different scenes stunningly engraved at their centers. The first pays homage to Farquhar, and the technological advances brought to the islands by his efforts. Minerva is surrounded by various military standards and seated upon the British lion with Farquhar's coat of arms beside her. Above is the signing of the abolishment of slavery, known as the \"Oath of Blood\" treaty, between Farquhar's officers and King Radama I of Madagascar. Allegorical images of the advances brought about by the treaty, including military, the arts, education and agriculture are detailed below. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The second tray depicts a classical female figure resting on an anchor, again beside Farquhar’s coat of arms. The creation is further elevated by the sailing ships and a frieze of allegorical figures representing trade with Mauritius, including the stunning phoenix rising from the flames representing hope in the darkness. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Paul Storr is considered the greatest English silversmith of the Regency era, and his beautifully ornate silver reflected the rapidly changing world in which he lived. After the Napoleonic Wars, the British Empire rose to immense power. Increased wealth fueled changes in social customs, which in turn created a great demand for elaborate objects for entertaining in the home. As a result, Storr’s silver was coveted by many affluent patrons, including royalty. King George III and the Prince of Wales were both frequent patrons. Storr’s works are highly sculptural yet perfectly functional, standing as exceptional examples of fine decorative art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Both trays are inscribed along the bottom rims: \"A Son Excellence\/ Robert Townshend Farquhar\/ L'Ile Maurice Reconnoissant 1818\" which translates to \"The Isle of Mauritius expresses gratitude to His Excellency Robert Townshend Farquhar 1818\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Each: 18 1\/4\" high x 27 3\/8\" wide x 3\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43231118524551,"sku":"31-9390","price":298500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9390_1_a1ec3b71-7a7c-476c-8da1-93ea72d752ad.png?v=1758656108"},{"product_id":"edo-period-orange-laced-samurai-suit","title":"Edo-period Orange-Laced Samurai Suit","description":"For samurai warriors, the functionality of their armor was as vital as its striking beauty—both elements held equal importance. This orange-laced armor is one of the rarest and most stunning complete Edo-period samurai suits ever crafted, designed for a military leader to convey the gravity of his power and warrior spirit at a single glance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This particularly rare armor, adorned with an imposing tall ornament (\u003cem\u003esashimono\u003c\/em\u003e) at the back, is an 18th-century adaptation of the grand samurai suits that gained prominence in the 16th century, a period marked by intense warfare and interclan conflicts. The \u003cem\u003esashimono\u003c\/em\u003e, crafted from gilded and lacquered paper, depicts three golden feathers and antlers, symbolizing the warrior's prestige and status. While its striking design ensured visibility from afar, its delicate construction suggests it was not intended for combat. Instead, this armor was likely worn by a samurai overseeing the battlefield or participating in ceremonial processions. That it has survived centuries in such pristine condition with its original boxes is nothing short of extraordinary.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Every element of this orange silk-laced armor is remarkable. It features a black lacquered iron helmet with a gilded wood crest depicting a mythical monster. The russet iron face mask has a noble expression, a detachable nose and a silver inlaid mustache and goatee. The iron and leather breastplate, wrapped in stenciled leather and gilded copper, complements the large and imposing \u003cem\u003esashimono\u003c\/em\u003e. The skirt comprises seven sections of lacquered leather lames trimmed with bear hair. The shoulder guards have bamboo leaf silk fabric on the reverse, while the arm and leg guards are made of black lacquered iron plates and chainmail-lined silk. Additional components include bear fur boots, a commander’s baton and two original leather-wrapped storage boxes. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Embodying the warrior spirit and Japanese prestige in every detail, this suit is truly astonishing. Please see the complete list of exceptional features of this rare suit of armor below. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 18th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On base: 97\" high x 51 1\/2\" wide x 40\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This complete suit includes: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHelmet\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(etchu zunari kabuto):\u003c\/em\u003e black lacquered iron, with large gilded and lacquered wood \u003cem\u003ezutate\u003c\/em\u003e in the shape of an adze (chisel head)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFore Crest\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(maedate):\u003c\/em\u003e finely carved wood, decorated with gold leaf, lacquer, crystal and yak hair in the form of a mythical shinigami\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTurnbacks\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(fukigaeshi):\u003c\/em\u003e small, decorated with stenciled leather\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNeck Guard\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(manju shikoro):\u003c\/em\u003e rounded form, made of five lames of black lacquered iron kiritsuke kozane (false lamellae)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFace Mask\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(ryubu men menpo):\u003c\/em\u003e russet iron with a noble expression, smooth rounded cheeks and chin, elegant detachable nose, silver inlaid mustache and goatee\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBreastplate\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(maru-do):\u003c\/em\u003e made of a mixture of iron and leather \u003cem\u003ehonkozane\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eChest Plates\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(muna-ita, waki-ita, seno-ita):\u003c\/em\u003e wrapped with stenciled leather and trimed with gilded copper\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStandard\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(sashimono):\u003c\/em\u003e large and gilded, made of wood, iron, whale, baleen, black lacquer and gold leaf\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSkirt\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(kusazuri):\u003c\/em\u003e seven sections, each of four lames of lacquered leather \u003cem\u003ehonkozane\u003c\/em\u003e, with the bottom lame of each division trimmed in bear hair\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eShoulder guards\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(sode):\u003c\/em\u003e seven lames of black lacquered leather \u003cem\u003ekiritsuke kozane\u003c\/em\u003e, with reverses decorated with bamboo leaf silk fabric\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eArm and Leg Guards\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(shino-gote\/suneate):\u003c\/em\u003e black lacquered iron plate and \u003cem\u003ekuiai gusari\u003c\/em\u003e weave chainmail, lined with green bamboo leaf silk fabric\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAdditional components:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBear Fur Boots\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCommander's Baton (\u003cem\u003esaihai\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTwo matching leather-wrapped boxes\u003c\/strong\u003e","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42017317945479,"sku":"31-9641","price":188500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9641_1_dfb1f013-8913-42e8-bd5c-bdc838d17cf0.png?v=1730935148"},{"product_id":"theseus-french-empire-mantle-clock-by-andre-antoine-ravrio","title":"Theseus French Empire Mantle Clock by André Antoine Ravrio","description":"\u003cem\u003eTheseus\u003c\/em\u003e French Empire Mantel Clock\u003cbr\u003e André Antoine Ravrio\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1800 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This monumental Empire gilt mantel clock, created by André Antoine Ravrio, is one of only four known examples. Of the other three, one is held in a private collection, another resides in the Mobilier National in Paris, and the third belongs to the museum collection of the Prince de la Moskowa. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Commissioned during Napoleon's reign, the case was crafted by the emperor's personal bronzier, André Antoine Ravrio, and the mechanism by the Emperor’s clockmaker, Bazile-Charles Le Roy. The clock seamlessly marries the grandeur of Napoleon's modern empire with the timeless glory of Ancient Greece. The case itself is a work of art, as Ravrio masterfully presents one of ancient Greece’s most iconic tales. To the left, the ingenious inventor Daedalus is shown drafting his plans for King Minos’s labyrinth, built to contain the fearsome Minotaur. To the right stands the hero Theseus, captured at the pivotal moment when Ariadne, the king’s daughter, offers him a ball of thread—the key to finding his way out after confronting the monster. Sword in hand, he prepares for his fateful encounter. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Their pivotal exchange unfolds atop a pedestal adorned with a bronze frieze depicting Theseus’s triumph over the Minotaur. In this enduring myth, the Athenian hero enters the labyrinth to defeat the creature that demands human sacrifice, ultimately freeing Athens from its cruel tribute. Together, these scenes narrate the timeless story of courage, love and liberation. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Every element of this clock is a work of art, the result of a collaboration between the finest bronzier and clockmaker of the period. The enameled clock dial, signed \"Le Roy br. de Madame\/A Paris,\" features Roman numeral hour markers and minute graduations. Bazile-Charles Le Roy, founder of the prestigious Le Roy company in 1785 at the Palais Royal, relocated to Rue de la Egalité after 1789, later becoming the official clockmaker to Napoleon's mother. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e André Antoine Ravrio (1759–1814), renowned for his lamps, girandoles, clocks and bronze mounts, was awarded a Silver Medal at the 1806 Exposition de l'Industrie in Paris. By 1810, he had been appointed bronzier to Napoleon, working at several imperial residences, including Saint-Cloud, Compiègne and the Tuileries. At the height of his career, Ravrio's workshop employed as many as 100 artisans, producing designs coveted for their ingenious integration of form and exceptional quality, and this clock is the very finest example known on the market. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 25\" high x 23 1\/8\" wide x 9\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Mrs. E.P. Corbin, from 1949 in New York\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Bath, England\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43349735211143,"sku":"31-8659","price":54500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-8659_1.png?v=1785328439"},{"product_id":"sevres-rulers-of-france-portrait-medallions","title":"Sèvres Rulers of France Portrait Medallions","description":"This exceptionally rare set of sixteen Sèvres portrait medallions captures the illustrious history of one of the world’s most powerful monarchies—the French Crown. Exquisitely crafted by the illustrious Sèvres Manufactory, these impeccably preserved medallions stand as a remarkable testament to France’s unparalleled mastery of the decorative arts. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Crafted in the early 19th century, these medallions immortalize the most important French rulers and nobility in classic Sèvres bisque porcelain. Beginning with King François I of the 16th century, the collection features lifelike depictions of iconic figures including Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte, all set against a vibrant solid blue background. Interestingly, the set also portrays the English 1st Duke of Wellington, who was the de facto ruler after the fall of Napoleon. Each of the portraits epitomizes the artistry and precision of the world-renowned Sèvres Manufactory. See the full list of leaders represented in this set below. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Sèvres Manufactory became the leading porcelain maker in Europe in the mid-18th century, and they were given the official French royal appointment in 1759. For more than 250 years, Sèvres has produced important commissions and highly sought-after bisque wares. Commemorative portrait medallions such as these were popular throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, evoking the grandeur of France’s greatest leaders through the ages. Today, examples of these same medallions are represented in major museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum, though none hold as comprehensive a group as the present collection. These sixteen medallions were united as part of the esteemed Twinight Collection, one of the world’s largest and most important private collections of European porcelain. To see such a monumental group of these Sèvres medallions so beautifully preserved is a true rarity.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1818 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Inscribed with Sèvres marks for Alexandre Brachard and Jean-Jacques Oger \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Each frame: 30\" high x 17 1\/4\" wide x 2 1\/2\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Twinight Collection, New York\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rulers depicted in the medallions:\u003cbr\u003e Francois I (1515–47)\u003cbr\u003e Henri IV (1589-1610)\u003cbr\u003e Louis XIV (1643-1715)\u003cbr\u003e Louis XV (1715-74)\u003cbr\u003e Louis XVI (1774-92)\u003cbr\u003e Marie Antoinette (1774-92)\u003cbr\u003e Dauphin Louis Joseph (1781-89)\u003cbr\u003e Dauphin Louis Charles (1785-95)\u003cbr\u003e Louis XVIII (1795-1824)\u003cbr\u003e Marie Josephine de Savoie (1795-1810)\u003cbr\u003e Napoleon I (1804-1814, 1815)\u003cbr\u003e Empress Josephine (1804-10)\u003cbr\u003e Empress Marie Louise (1810-14)\u003cbr\u003e Duke of Berry (1778-1820)\u003cbr\u003e Duchess of Berry (1816-20)\u003cbr\u003e 1st Duke of Wellington (1828-34)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42499340763271,"sku":"31-9662","price":34500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9662_1_0bb64e66-7c75-4d7f-8f14-7a89cf12cc59.png?v=1743858304"},{"product_id":"terracotta-statue-of-emperor-napoleon-at-st-helena","title":"Terracotta Statue of Emperor Napoleon at St. Helena","description":"Terracotta Statue of Emperor Napoleon at St. Helena\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1825-1840 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This exceptional terracotta statue of Napoleon Bonaparte on St. Helena stands as one of the earliest known depictions of the emperor in this iconic pose. Dating circa 1825–1840, the sculpture captures Napoleon in exile, reflecting on his empire’s legacy and the ambitions that reshaped Europe. With remarkable precision, the artist portrays the emperor seated on a klismos chair atop a stack of books—a nod to his intellectual depth and love of literature—his hand tucked into his waistcoat, a gesture that was rendered in many of his official portraits. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The statue’s black-painted terracotta surface and finely rendered details evoke both the grandeur and introspection of Napoleon’s life. Dressed in a frock coat and boots, he gazes to the side as if lost in thought or quiet conversation. The subtle balance of heroic presence and personal vulnerability sets this work apart, offering a rare perspective on the emperor's final years. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This one-of-a-kind work of art predates similar works by artists like Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, whose celebrated depictions now grace institutions such as the Musée d'Orsay and the Cleveland Museum of Art. This statue was also formerly part of the personal collection of François Hayem, the famed Parisian art dealer. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 26 3\/4\" high x 26 1\/2\" wide x 13 3\/4\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42633861890183,"sku":"32-0021","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0021_1_0c2a4e35-d061-47f8-9542-51c502de52f6.png?v=1746746811"},{"product_id":"ancient-roman-stele-relief-fragment","title":"Ancient Roman Stele Relief Fragment","description":"Ancient Roman Stele Relief Fragment\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1st Century BCE–1st Century CE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This rare marble stele relief fragment is a remarkable artifact of ancient history. Dating to the 1st century BCE–1st century CE, it offers a direct connection to the grandeur of ancient Rome. Carved in fine white marble, possibly of Greek origin, this fragment exemplifies the Roman refinement of Classical Greek ideals. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A stele is a carved stone slab used in antiquity, typically as a commemorative monument, often decorated with relief figures or inscriptions. The quality and refined execution of this example suggest that it once belonged to an individual of considerable social standing. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The female figure is shown mid-motion, with her right hand gracefully crossing the body to her left shoulder, suggestive of adjusting or clasping a himation cloak. Her left arm extends downward, grasping the drapery in a composed gesture. The stele fragment retains the full expressive power of Roman classicism seen in the fluid contrapposto stance and elegant drapery lines that emphasize movement and femininity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A statue in a similar pose, \u003cem\u003eThe Small Herculaneum Woman\u003c\/em\u003e, housed in the Skulpturensammlung of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen in Dresden, Germany, dates to the 1st century BCE. Unearthed in 1711 at the ancient city of Herculaneum, it represents one of the earliest significant discoveries at the site. Similar stylistic choices can also be found in a pentelic marble stele from the Archaeological Museum in Elefsina. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On stand: 37 1\/2 high x 23 1\/2\" wide x 12\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, New York\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43894037905543,"sku":"32-1243","price":74500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1243_1_fcc311aa-64e9-4243-8548-5c354730cc8d.png?v=1785328384"},{"product_id":"wwi-trench-art-book","title":"WWI Trench Art Book","description":"WWI Trench Art Book\u003cbr\u003e Created by German and Austro-Hungarian Soldiers\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1914-1918 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This rare collection of seventy-four trench art postcards offers a historic and remarkably intimate glimpse into the psyche of World War I soldiers—men whose voices were often eclipsed by the words of leaders or newspaper stories. Created by individual German and Austro-Hungarian soldiers over three years on the battlefield, these postcard-sized drawings are among the most expressive artifacts from the Great War, documenting daily realities often left unspoken. From concerns over rations, camaraderie and holidays, to poignant depictions of home, these postcards reveal the inner lives of the men who faced the front lines. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e These drawings were crafted for the Austro-Hungarian newspaper \u003cem\u003eKronen Zeitung\u003c\/em\u003e (meaning \"Crown Newspaper\"), which launched a campaign to capture soldiers' true experiences through thousands of blank cards distributed to German and Austro-Hungarian forces. Soldiers were invited to illustrate them freely, providing captions and personal notes. Out of thousands received, only 1,183 cards were selected for publication—this collection represents 100 of the finest examples. They represent an intriguing subset of trench art, a phenomenon that first emerged during the Napoleonic Wars. Trench art flourished during the Great War, perhaps due to the evolution of trench warfare. Soldiers were expected to spend at least 8-10 days on the front line, and some were even required to spend up to two months entrenched. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In each scene and portrait, soldiers capture the everyday struggles, hopes and humor that sustained them through the conflict. These emotive works feature everything from landscapes and familiar village scenes to satire, reflective of how these men saw and coped with their surroundings. Together, these drawings present a profoundly moving view of the war as experienced by those on the ground. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The one-of-a-kind drawings are beautifully presented in a custom leather-bound book and supporting cradle. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Book: 14 1\/4\" wide x 12 1\/2\" deep x 3 1\/2\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43875577659527,"sku":"32-0489","price":48500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0489_1.png?v=1793086246"},{"product_id":"meditation-french-empire-mantel-clock-by-claude-galle","title":"Meditation French Empire Mantel Clock by Claude Galle","description":"Empire Mantel Clock\u003cbr\u003e Claude Galle\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1810 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This Empire period mantel clock by Galle exemplifies the sophisticated allegorical artistry of early 19th-century French horology. Representing the personification of Meditation, the work unites masterful bronze casting with the refined neoclassical aesthetic admired during Napoleon’s reign. Its design reflects Cesare Ripa’s iconographic traditions and the Empire’s fascination with classical philosophy, elevating timekeeping into both an intellectual and artistic pursuit. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The composition centers on an elegantly draped female figure in the traditional pose of contemplation, her left hand resting against her head while she holds a book in her right. The patinated bronze figure is set against gilt bronze architectural elements, creating visual contrast and enhancing the allegorical theme. The white enamel dial features Roman numerals with Arabic quarter-hour markers, framed by relief decoration depicting scholarly activity. A rectangular gilt bronze base with water leaf frieze rests upon a sea-green marble plinth supported by four bronze claw feet. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Claude Galle (1759–1815) is regarded as one of the most important bronziers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, particularly during the French Empire period. He took over the workshop of his father-in-law, Pierre Foy, in 1788, soon turning it into one of the finest that employed over 400 craftsmen. Galle collaborated with many excellent artisans, including Pierre-Philippe Thomire, and supplied the majority of the furnishing bronzes for the Château de Fontainebleau during the Empire. He received many other Imperial commissions for the Trianons, the Tuileries, Compiègne and Rambouillet, among others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Galle\" on dial \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 21\" high x 11 3\/4\" wide x 6 3\/4\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43231211094151,"sku":"32-1432","price":24500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1432_1_e52c06ea-3faf-4b70-9899-549081c2cfcc.png?v=1758656573"},{"product_id":"empire-erato-mantel-clock-by-thomire-cie","title":"Empire Erato Mantel Clock by Thomire \u0026 Cie","description":"Empire Mercury-Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock\u003cbr\u003e Pierre-Philippe Thomire and Louis Moinet\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1810 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This exceptional Empire gilt-bronze French mantel clock, signed on the dial by bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire and watchmaker Louis Moinet, presents an exquisitely detailed figure of Erato. One of the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, Erato is the Muse of lyric and romantic poetry, known as the “lovely” or “desired” one. She is depicted holding her finely mercury-gilded lyre, symbolizing her inspiration for song and verse. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The leading bronzier of the Empire period, Pierre-Philippe Thomire, trained under Pierre Gouthière and established his Paris workshop in 1776. His creations, characterized by meticulous detailing and refined design, define the Neoclassical aesthetic. This exquisite mantel clock, crafted in the 19th century, remains an enduring testament to Thomire's artistic legacy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Louis Moinet, a highly esteemed watchmaker, inventor, scholar and manufacturer of precision instruments, became president of the \u003cem\u003eSociété de Chronométrie\u003c\/em\u003e in Paris. Moinet was well acquainted with the arts and, for this reason, he fully understood the aesthetic importance of each of his clocks. Moinet also achieved fame with his book, \u003cem\u003eNouveau traité général et civil Astronomique et pratique de l'horlogerie\u003c\/em\u003e, published in 1843. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Moinet worked closely with the bronzier Thomire. The two were responsible for making many important clocks, including one for Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806, known as the Napoleon clock, now at the National Museum Speelklok in Utrecht. Moinet and Thomire also collaborated on clocks for the King of Naples, George IV of England and Tsar Alexander of Russia. While in Paris, Thomas Jefferson acquired a clock from Moinet and Thomire, which accompanied the President for two terms in the White House. When James Monroe became president, he also commissioned a clock from the pair in 1817. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Thomire \u0026amp; Cie” and “Moinet Ainé Hger” on dial \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 24 3\/4\" high x 15 1\/4\" wide x 8 1\/4\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44526834155655,"sku":"32-1952","price":34500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1952_1_b0aee5ee-8758-41bf-8580-0b3b8dcac2de.png?v=1793740759"},{"product_id":"bronze-bust-of-napoleon-bonaparte","title":"Bronze Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte","description":"Bronze Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte\u003cbr\u003e 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A commanding study of imperial authority, this French Empire-style patinated bronze bust captures Napoleon Bonaparte in his iconic bicorne hat. He also wears the insignia of the Legion of Honour upon a finely modeled military uniform, reflecting the famed leader at the height of his power. Cast in the 19th century, the work embodies the enduring fascination with Napoleon’s image throughout post-Revolutionary France, when his likeness became both a political symbol and an aesthetic ideal. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 10 1\/4\" high x 5 1\/4\" wide x 3 1\/4\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44727989895303,"sku":"32-2490","price":8850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2490_1.png?v=1780144572"},{"product_id":"roman-cosmatesque-hardstone-table","title":"Roman Cosmatesque Hardstone Table","description":"Roman Cosmatesque Hardstone and Marble Table\u003cbr\u003e 12th Century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A breathtaking relic of the High Middle Ages, this extraordinary Cosmatesque hardstone and marble table represents a rare fusion of ancient Roman grandeur and medieval Italian artistry, surviving intact for nearly 900 years. Almost certainly created for a church, palace or noble residence during the 12th century, the tabletop is composed of precious ancient Roman hardstones arranged in an intricate geometric mosaic. Monumental Cosmatesque works rarely leave their original architectural settings, making this table an exceptionally rare example of one of the Middle Ages’ most celebrated decorative arts. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Brilliantly colored porphyry, serpentine and other prized Roman hardstones form the dazzling \u003cem\u003eopus sectile\u003c\/em\u003e mosaic. Each fragment carries the legacy of antiquity, salvaged by medieval craftsmen from the ruins of ancient Rome and originally quarried across the vast Roman Empire. By the High Middle Ages, many of these quarries had been exhausted or lost, making the stones precious remnants of the ancient world. The richly patterned design exemplifies the coveted Cosmatesque style, named for the celebrated Cosmati family of Roman craftsmen, whose work adorned the churches and palaces of popes, kings and noble patrons. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Cosmati workshops transformed fragments of ancient monuments into some of Europe’s most magnificent pavements, altars and furnishings. Their distinctive geometric compositions became synonymous with the finest ecclesiastical commissions of medieval Italy. Perhaps the most famous surviving example is the Cosmatesque pavement of Westminster Abbey, installed in 1268 beneath the Coronation Chair and used in royal coronations for more than seven centuries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The tabletop is now set upon a handsome marble base, dating to the 17th or 18th century. The survival of such an important composition in table form is exceptionally rare, offering collectors a museum-worthy work that bridges classical antiquity and medieval Europe. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 31 1\/4\" high x 46\" wide x 47 1\/4\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45390941880455,"sku":"32-2128","price":188500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2128_1.png?v=1786728108"},{"product_id":"ancient-egyptian-blue-painted-vase","title":"Ancient Egyptian Blue-Painted Vase","description":"Ancient Egyptian Blue-Painted Vase\u003cbr\u003e Amarna Period, circa 1348-1320 BCE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Egyptian pottery seldom survives at this scale with its painted decoration intact. This monumental vessel dates to circa 1348-1320 BCE, placing it within the Amarna Period, the brief and fascinating chapter of the New Kingdom presided over by the pharaoh Akhenaten. It belongs to the tradition known as blue-painted ware, the most prestigious ceramic production of the era, prized for its vivid pigments and its lively naturalism. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The pigment concentrates on the neck and shoulder, leaving the swelling body of the jar in the warm buff of the fired clay. A band of stylized persea leaves in blue and red encircles the neck, framed above and below by horizontal registers and a row of fine dark triangles. On the shoulder, an \u003cem\u003eankh\u003c\/em\u003e in blue occupies the center, flanked by \u003cem\u003euas\u003c\/em\u003e sceptres bound with lotus blossoms and papyrus umbels, their forms drawn with the fluid, curving line that distinguishes Amarna draftsmanship from the rigid conventions that preceded it. Together these motifs signify life, dominion and regeneration. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Beyond its beauty, the history of this vase is equally compelling. Akhenaten redirected Egyptian worship toward the sun-disc of the Aten and moved his court to a purpose-built capital at Akhetaten, present-day Amarna. The artistic revolution that accompanied this shift favored naturalism and movement over the static formality of earlier dynasties. Within a generation of his death, the capital stood empty, the cult of the Aten was suppressed, and much of its art was dismantled or effaced, which accounts for the scarcity of surviving works. A closely related jar resides in the Brooklyn Museum, though this vessel measures approximately 43 percent larger, and a considerably smaller comparable example is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On stand: 22 3\/4\" high x 15 1\/2\" diameter \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, London\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45400585339015,"sku":"32-2916","price":74500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2916_1.png?v=1793733569"},{"product_id":"ancient-egyptian-alabaster-vase-1","title":"Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Vase","description":"Ancient Egyptian Bullet-Form Alabaster Vase\u003cbr\u003e Third Intermediate Period, circa 945–715 BCE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This monumental Egyptian alabaster vase is among the largest known examples of its type. It is a rare vessel perfected by Egyptian craftsmen during the Third Intermediate Period, circa 945–715 BCE and among the most coveted objects of the ancient world. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The vase's elongated, bullet-shaped form rises with commanding proportion, its surface luminous and translucent, swirling with warm honey and cream tones veined with white mineral striations. The narrow mouth and tapering body exemplify the refined control of Egyptian craftsmen, who favored alabaster above other materials for its translucency and prestige—a clear signal that this vessel was created for someone, or a ceremony, of exceptional standing. Its near-perfect condition, after nearly 3,000 years, is nothing short of extraordinary. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e According to Professor Olivier Perdu at the Collège de France, a leading specialist in Egypt's Third Intermediate Period, vessels of this type held wine for ceremonies appeasing the Eye of Re, the fearsome Egyptian solar god. Beyond Egypt's borders, they were coveted across the ancient world—Phoenician elites used them as funerary urns, Assyrian kings repurposed them for precious oil and Roman aristocrats incorporated them into burial rites. Even Publius Claudius Pulcher, born into one of Rome's most prominent republican families, was interred with one, though his example measured only 26 inches. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Standing over 27\" high, it surpasses every recorded parallel, including the vase of Osorkon I from the royal necropolis at Tanis (23 1\/2\" high) and a celebrated example in the Louvre (6 1\/2\" high). The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds only a fragment. Intact examples of this scale are extraordinarily rare outside museum collections. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Without base: 25\" high x 15\" diameter\u003cbr\u003e With base: 27 1\/2\" high x 15\" diameter \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, UK, acquired 1950s\u003cbr\u003e Private collection\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Paris\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45454550270087,"sku":"32-2946","price":124500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2946_1_d057b22c-dbb2-4864-b9ad-6899f35d940d.png?v=1786735258"},{"product_id":"marble-bust-of-napoleon-from-the-workshop-of-antoine-denis-chaudet","title":"Marble Bust of Napoleon from the Workshop of Antoine-Denis Chaudet","description":"Marble Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte\u003cbr\u003e From the Workshop of Antoine-Denis Chaudet\u003cbr\u003e 1763–1810 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marble \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Few images embody the grandeur of the Napoleonic Empire quite like this monumental marble bust of Napoleon Bonaparte. Created in the workshop of Antoine-Denis Chaudet, the celebrated sculptor responsible for Napoleon’s official portrait bust, this imposing likeness derives from the model Chaudet created in 1799. Its survival is particularly remarkable, as while over a thousand official replicas were produced during Napoleon’s reign, most were destroyed following the Bourbon Restoration in 1814. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Chaudet’s portrait presents Napoleon with the idealized dignity of a sovereign. His gaze is commanding and composed, while the flowing hair and bare shoulders recall the visual language of classical antiquity. Carved in luminous marble, the bust transforms the living ruler into an enduring symbol of imperial authority, precisely the image Napoleon sought to project as he consolidated his power. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Chaudet’s original model became Napoleon’s favored official portrait after the marble version was completed in 1804, shortly after his proclamation as Emperor of the French. Its popularity was extraordinary. The image was reproduced in marble and Sèvres biscuit porcelain and became one of the most recognizable representations of Napoleon throughout the Empire. Between 1807 and 1809, Carrara workshops in Italy produced at least 1,200 marble replicas for public buildings and official spaces across France. Following the Bourbon Restoration, many of these imperial portraits were destroyed as symbols of the fallen regime. Surviving examples are therefore rare reminders of the immense visual program created to celebrate Napoleon’s rule. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The present bust likely derives from this official Carrara production, connecting it directly to one of the most ambitious portrait campaigns of the Napoleonic era. Large, commanding and deeply evocative of the Empire, it stands as a remarkable surviving testament to the power of art to construct—and preserve—the image of a ruler. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Early 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 18 1\/2\" high x 10 1\/2\" wide x 10 3\/4\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, South of France\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45527959208071,"sku":"32-2616","price":64500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2616_1.png?v=1788470466"},{"product_id":"john-f-kennedy-rocking-chair","title":"John F. Kennedy Rocking Chair","description":"John F. Kennedy’s Rocking Chair\u003cbr\u003e Oak frame with original upholstery\u003cbr\u003e Made by P\u0026amp;P Chair Company, Asheboro, NC\u003cbr\u003e Made in 1961 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This extraordinary high-backed rocking chair was personally commissioned for President John F. Kennedy and gifted by him in 1961 to W. Averell Harriman, one of the most consequential American diplomats of the 20th century. Among the small number of rockers made for Kennedy, this is the only fully documented example that the President personally presented as a gift. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Harriman was one of Kennedy’s most trusted advisers, helping secure the 1962 Laos settlement and serving as the President’s personal representative in negotiations that produced the landmark 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty. Their relationship extended beyond diplomacy; following Kennedy’s assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy and her children stayed at Harriman’s Georgetown home. Few objects of presidential furniture unite Kennedy’s private life, his administration and one of its most important diplomatic relationships so directly. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The chair’s distinctive form became inseparable from Kennedy’s public image. Chronic back pain stemming in part from injuries sustained during World War II led Kennedy to rely on specially made rockers for support and comfort. This example displays the characteristic high back, woven rush seat, restrained oak frame and elongated rockers associated with the design. Kennedy kept examples at the White House, Camp David and his private residences, and photographs of the youthful President seated in these chairs transformed the silhouette into an enduring symbol of his presidency. The design became so closely identified with him that it remains universally known as the “Kennedy rocker.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The North Carolina P \u0026amp; P Chair Company produced these distinctive chairs for Kennedy and subsequently made related examples for other prominent figures, including President Lyndon B. Johnson and Pope John Paul II. Kennedy’s association with the design elevated an otherwise traditional American rocking chair into an icon of presidential history. This example is further distinguished by a letter of authenticity signed by noted White House upholsterer Norma Arata, its documented descent through Harriman and his wife Pamela Churchill Harriman, and two exhibitions at the Oregon Historical Society. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1961 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Measurements: 43 1\/4\" high x 29\" wide x 32 1\/2\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e President John F. Kennedy (1917–1963), 1961\u003cbr\u003e W. Averell Harriman (1891–1986), by gift from the above in 1961\u003cbr\u003e Pamela Harriman (1920–1997), wife of the above\u003cbr\u003e Sotheby’s New York, The Estate of Ambassador Pamela Harriman, May 19–21, 1997, lot 147\u003cbr\u003e Melvin “Pete” Mark, Jr. (1926–2017), Portland, Oregon, acquired from the above\u003cbr\u003e Private collection\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e Robert Wilonsky, “American Treasures,” Intelligent Collector, accessed April 1, 2026, illustrated \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited:\u003cbr\u003e Portland, Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, Windows on America, June 2013–February 2014\u003cbr\u003e Portland, Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, High Hopes: The Journey of John F. Kennedy, March 25–November 12, 2017","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45682560663687,"sku":"32-2961","price":498500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2961_1.png?v=1793128756"},{"product_id":"theodore-roosevelt-typed-letter-signed","title":"Theodore Roosevelt Typed Letter Signed","description":"Theodore Roosevelt\u003cbr\u003e 1858–1919 | American\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed Letter Naming His Personal Heroes\u003cbr\u003e Written on \u003cem\u003eThe Outlook\u003c\/em\u003e letterhead \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Written during Theodore Roosevelt’s historic 1912 campaign to return to the White House, this important letter identifies the four leaders he regarded as his personal heroes: the ancient Greek statesman Timoleon, English parliamentarian John Hampden and American presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt, one of the most consequential figures in modern American political history, describes himself with striking humility as a “very humble follower” of these men. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Roosevelt addressed the letter to Helen Marian Clark Wallace, who had sent him a coin as a token of good fortune. He responds warmly, promising to carry it as a “luck piece,” before redirecting the exchange toward the historical figures who shaped his conception of leadership. The coin held added significance for Roosevelt, who had taken an unusually close interest in the artistic quality of American currency while president. Inspired by ancient Greek coinage, he enlisted sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign the nation’s gold coins, a collaboration that produced the famed Saint-Gaudens double eagle. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The letter is written on the stationery of \u003cem\u003eThe Outlook\u003c\/em\u003e, the influential New York weekly journal Roosevelt joined as a contributing editor shortly after leaving the presidency in 1909. The position gave the former president a national platform from which to address political reform, conservation, foreign affairs and civic responsibility. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The letter's date, June 4, 1912, falls at a decisive point in Roosevelt's third and unlikely presidential campaign. Roosevelt was then challenging incumbent President William Howard Taft for the Republican nomination, only weeks before the Republican National Convention opened in Chicago. After Taft secured the nomination, Roosevelt and his supporters formed the Progressive Party, widely known as the Bull Moose Party. Roosevelt ultimately received 27.4 percent of the popular vote and 88 electoral votes, finishing ahead of Taft in both measures, although the divided electorate helped Democrat Woodrow Wilson win the presidency. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Roosevelt’s chosen heroes clarify the principles he associated with his own public service. Timoleon liberated several Sicilian cities from tyrannical rule during the fourth century B.C., while Hampden became a symbol of parliamentary resistance to the arbitrary authority of Charles I. Washington represented republican self-command and national founding; Lincoln embodied the preservation of the Union and the destruction of slavery. By placing himself within their tradition, Roosevelt connected his political ambitions to a history of resistance to tyranny, civic duty and principled national leadership. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The letter reads:\u003cbr\u003e “I appreciate the coin, and shall carry it as a luck piece. But, my dear Mrs. Wallace, I want to say that the men whom I regard as my heroes are those like Timoleon and John Hampden, and of course in our country Washington and Lincoln. I am a very humble follower of these men!” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated June 4, 1912 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 22 1\/2\" high x 23 3\/4\" wide x 2 1\/2\" deep (57.2 x 60.3 x 6.4 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45832784969863,"sku":"32-2969","price":22500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2969_1.png?v=1793089762"},{"product_id":"paul-mccartney-s-hey-jude-lyrics-and-gold-45-record-award","title":"Paul McCartney’s “Hey Jude” Lyrics and Gold 45 Record Award","description":"Working Lyrics for “Hey Jude” with RIAA Gold Record\u003cbr\u003e Annotated by Paul McCartney, 1968\u003cbr\u003e Ink on paper; accompanied by the RIAA Gold Record award for “Hey Jude” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Few songs in modern history have achieved the cultural power of “Hey Jude.” Written by Paul McCartney and recorded by the Beatles at the height of their influence, it became far more than the Beatles’ greatest hit. The song became an anthem of hope and comfort, still sung by millions across multiple generations. These are the working lyrics to \"Hey Jude,\" annotated by Paul McCartney, alongside its original RIAA Gold Record for the song. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The lyric sheet offers direct evidence of how the Beatles worked in the studio. Before photocopiers became commonplace, Mal Evans, the band's road manager and studio assistant, transcribed the working lyrics. McCartney then annotated the sheet by hand. On the paper, he marked cues for tambourine, backing voices, assigned singers and vocal groupings, along with revisions to the lyrics. Most significantly, in the final verse, he revised the closing line to \"Remember to let her under your skin, then you'll begin to make it better\"—the version immortalized in the recording. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e McCartney conceived “Hey Jude” in 1968 while driving to visit Cynthia Lennon and her son Julian after Cynthia’s separation from John. Originally addressed to the child as “Hey Jules,” the composition developed into a broader message of reassurance. The Beatles released the single on August 26, 1968, as one of the first releases on their Apple label. Its gradual expansion from piano-led ballad to an extended orchestral coda gave the recording a scale unprecedented among the group’s singles. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Beatles recorded rehearsals and attempted backing tracks at EMI Studios on July 29 and 30, 1968, before moving to Trident Studios, where eight-track equipment allowed them to construct the master recording between July 31 and August 2. Released later that month, “Hey Jude” remained at number one in the United States for nine weeks, longer than any other Beatles single. The recording’s 7-minute, 11-second duration was also exceptional for a chart-topping single of its era. Its unforgettable melody, universal message and monumental final chorus helped define not only the sound of the 1960s, but the emotional language of modern music itself. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Beatles items have always been at the summit of music collecting. Other working lyrics for \"Hey Jude\" have sold at auction for $910,000 and $1 million. Making this opportunity even more extraordinary, only four of the RIAA gold records are believed to exist, and one sold for $91,000 in 2023. Comparable Beatles manuscripts occupy major institutional collections. The British Library preserves working lyrics by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, including manuscripts for “In My Life,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Yesterday,” “Help!” and “Here, There and Everywhere.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The lyrics are accompanied by a notarized letter from Craig Inciardi documenting their origin and authenticity. Inciardi was a founding curator of the Rock \u0026amp; Roll Hall of Fame and later worked as a popular culture specialist at Sotheby’s. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 27 1\/2\" high x 23 1\/2\" wide x 2\" deep (69.9 x 59.7 x 5.1 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45861891571847,"sku":"32-3208","price":595000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3208_1.png?v=1793640170"},{"product_id":"george-washingtons-hair-and-funerary-case-shavings-1","title":"George Washington's Hair and Funerary Case Shavings","description":"George Washington's Hair and Funerary Case Shavings\u003cbr\u003e Fragments and hair: 1799 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This extraordinary collection of George Washington relics preserves a deeply personal connection to the founding father and first president of the United States. Bringing together strands of his hair and fragments of the red cedar funerary case that enclosed his casket in 1799, the display unites physical remnants of Washington’s life with those of his burial. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The strands originate from a larger lock of Washington’s hair given to Thomas Farmer in 1845 by a woman employed to braid the hair of Washington and Andrew Jackson into mourning jewelry. The cedar fragments come from a larger piece given to Timothy Hedges in 1831. Together, these relics illustrate the enduring reverence for Washington and the care with which generations preserved objects associated with him. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The relics are presented alongside reproductions of Washington’s signature and Gilbert Stuart’s celebrated 1796 \u003cem\u003eLansdowne Portrait\u003c\/em\u003e, now housed in the National Portrait Gallery. Accompanying documentation includes a copy of a letter from Mrs. Paul Hedges, the wife of a Hedges descendant, tracing the history of the funerary case fragment. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 18\" high x 22\" wide x 1\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46064566141063,"sku":"30-2644","price":22850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-2644_1.png?v=1791321627"},{"product_id":"ancient-roman-glass-jug","title":"Ancient Roman Glass Jug","description":"Roman Iridescent Glass Jug\u003cbr\u003e Circa 100–300 CE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Surviving intact for nearly two millennia, this large Roman glass jug is a remarkable testament to one of antiquity’s great technical achievements. Glassblowing transformed the ancient world, allowing artisans to shape molten glass into vessels of extraordinary variety and refinement. Crafted using this revolutionary technique, this example preserves both its elegant form and the brilliant rainbow iridescence developed over centuries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Its broad globular body rises to a tall waisted neck and collared mouth, with a single strap handle joining the rim to the shoulder. To find such a substantial vessel in fragile glass still intact after so many centuries is exceptional. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The jug’s exceptional iridescence is the product of centuries spent buried in the earth. Moisture in the soil slowly changed the surface of the green glass, forming thin layers that reflect light in shimmering shades of blue, violet and gold. Time itself created this remarkable rainbow effect. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A smaller jug with a globular body, collared rim and strap handle is preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Cesnola Collection. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 10 1\/2\" high x 8 1\/4\" wide x 7 3\/4\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Oxford\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, United Kingdom\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46081218347143,"sku":"32-2917","price":22850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2917_1.png?v=1791465554"},{"product_id":"waterloo-elm-cabinet-by-thomas-chippendale","title":"Waterloo Elm Cabinet by Thomas Chippendale","description":"Waterloo Elm Cabinet by Thomas Chippendale the Younger\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1820 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It was beneath this ancient elm that Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, established his principal command post during the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815. From that vantage point, Wellington directed the Allied forces in the battle that defeated Napoleon and reshaped the political order of the world. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The timber of this celebrated tree became a treasure in its own right. Its survival was due to remarkable timing and foresight. John George Children, a librarian at the British Museum and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, was present on the battlefield shortly before the Waterloo Elm was felled. Recognizing its extraordinary historical importance, he secured the timber and commissioned Thomas Chippendale Jr., the leading English cabinetmaker of the Regency era as well as the cabinetmaker to the royal family, to transform it into furniture worthy of its origin. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The cost of this commission was ambitious for a man of Children’s means, but he clearly understood that the wood of Wellington’s command tree deserved to be preserved in a form equal to its history. Chippendale answered with works of exceptional refinement, creating what are now among the most iconic and coveted pieces of English furniture of all time. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Almost all known examples of Waterloo Elm furniture are held in important British collections. A throne created from the timber to honor the Prince Regent’s accession as George IV is now in the Queen’s Guard Room at Windsor Castle. A chair presented to the Duke of Wellington remains at Stratfield Saye. This cabinet is believed to be one of only two pieces of Waterloo Elm furniture still in private hands. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Every detail reinforces its historic significance. The royal lion surmounts the word “Waterloo,” while cannon-form handles, laurel wreath mounts and paw feet speak to victory, military triumph and Regency taste. Beyond its remarkable provenance, it is also a superb example of Chippendale craftsmanship, balancing neoclassical restraint with potent symbols of British power at the moment of Napoleon’s defeat. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cabinet: 28 1\/2\" high x 17 1\/4\" wide x 17 1\/4\" deep\u003cbr\u003e On base: 57\" high x 17 1\/4\" wide x 17 1\/4\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e John George Children\u003cbr\u003e By descent to family, at Halstead Place, Kent\u003cbr\u003e Sold from Halstead Place or its contents, circa 1920s\u003cbr\u003e Acquired at a house sale in Kent in the 1920s\u003cbr\u003e Sold anonymously, Phillips, March 28, 1997, lot 237\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, UK\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46081934983303,"sku":"32-3218","price":228500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3218_1_9e693b3b-daff-497a-aad4-8bcc514df870.png?v=1792012798"},{"product_id":"hms-victory-trafalgar-musket-ball","title":"HMS Victory Trafalgar Musket Ball","description":"HMS \u003cem\u003eVictory\u003c\/em\u003e Trafalgar Musket Ball\u003cbr\u003e French, 1805 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Recovered from HMS \u003cem\u003eVictory\u003c\/em\u003e after the Battle of Trafalgar, this French lead musket ball offers a physical connection to Admiral Horatio Nelson’s flagship and his final naval engagement. Removed by a person who worked on the ship, the ball is preserved alongside a handwritten letter documenting its history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On October 21, 1805, Nelson led the British fleet against the combined French and Spanish fleets at Trafalgar. During the fighting, a French marksman aboard the \u003cem\u003eRedoutable\u003c\/em\u003e fatally wounded him with a lead musket ball. The projectile that killed Nelson was subsequently preserved by the ship’s surgeon, William Beatty, and presented to Queen Victoria after Beatty’s death. It remains in the Royal Collection today, providing an institutional parallel for the type of ammunition represented by this relic. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 14 1\/8\" high x 12 5\/8\" wide x 1 1\/8\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46087508197511,"sku":"32-3032","price":14500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3032_1.png?v=1793089818"},{"product_id":"simon-bolivar-s-silver-spur","title":"Simón Bolívar’s Silver Spur","description":"Simón Bolívar’s Silver Spur\u003cbr\u003e Early 19th Century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Worn by Simón Bolívar, this silver spur offers a direct connection to the military leader whose campaigns helped secure independence from Spanish rule across six present-day Latin American nations. Known as “The Liberator,” Bolívar gave the spur to José Antonio Páez, one of his foremost cavalry commanders and a future president of Venezuela. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The spur’s subsequent history is recorded in an engraving commissioned by Páez circa 1870. While living in New York near the end of his life, Páez presented it to Royal Phelps, an American businessman with deep ties to Venezuela. The inscription commemorates this gift and preserves the spur’s association with both Bolívar and Páez. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Caracas in 1783, Bolívar became a central political and military force in the liberation of present-day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Panama. His leadership helped transform the political map of the Americas, and his name survives in both Bolivia and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On base: 8 1\/2\" high x 8 1\/2\" wide x 5 3\/8\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Simón Bolívar\u003cbr\u003e José Antonio Páez, gift from the above\u003cbr\u003e Royal Phelps, gift from the above\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, France\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, France\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46210940141703,"sku":"32-3041","price":24500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3041_1_5dba8292-0f13-47dc-9f9e-d91178e5525a.png?v=1793105935"},{"product_id":"ancient-egyptian-limestone-head-of-a-ptolemaic-king","title":"Ancient Egyptian Limestone Head of a Ptolemaic King","description":"Egyptian Limestone Head of a King Ptolemaic Period, 332–30 BCE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Carved more than two thousand years ago, this limestone head presents an Egyptian king wearing the traditional \u003cem\u003enemes\u003c\/em\u003e headdress, an enduring emblem of pharaonic power. Formerly in the Christian Levett Collection, the sculpture was displayed at the Mougins Museum of Classical Art in France for over a decade and later featured in the exhibition \u003cem\u003eCaesar \u0026amp; Cleopatra\u003c\/em\u003e at the Historical Museum of the Palatinate in Speyer, Germany. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The broad headdress frames the king’s face while leaving his ears exposed. Full cheeks, softly modeled lips and a slight smile lend the portrait a serene, idealized expression, recalling representations of Ptolemy II and suggesting a possible identification. Above the forehead, the headdress once bore a \u003cem\u003euraeus\u003c\/em\u003e, a rearing cobra associated with divine protection and royal authority, likely fashioned from metal. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Egypt’s Ptolemaic rulers descended from the Macedonian Greek general Ptolemy I, a successor to Alexander the Great. Although Greek in origin, they embraced the imagery of the ancient pharaohs to affirm their legitimacy as sovereigns of Egypt. Royal portraits such as this head expressed that continuity, preserving the visual language of Egyptian kingship during the dynasty that culminated in the reign of Cleopatra VII. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On base: 14\" high x 11 1\/2\" wide x 12\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited: Mougins Museum of Classical Art, Mougins, France, June 2011–August 2023, inv. no. MMoCA196\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eCaesar \u0026amp; Cleopatra\u003c\/em\u003e, Historical Museum of the Palatinate, Speyer, Germany, April 13–October 26, 2025 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature: P. Clayton, “Ancient Egypt,” in Mark Merrony, ed., \u003cem\u003eMougins Museum of Classical Art\u003c\/em\u003e, 2011, p. 54, no. 44 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Switzerland, acquired in London in the late 1960s\u003cbr\u003e Christian Levett Collection, Mougins Museum of Classical Art, acquired in 2008\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46244106567815,"sku":"32-2705","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2705_1.png?v=1793105849"},{"product_id":"ancient-egyptian-alabaster-vase-2","title":"Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Vase","description":"Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Vase\u003cbr\u003e Third Intermediate Period, 945–715 BCE \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Carved nearly three thousand years ago, this Egyptian alabaster vase unites the natural beauty of banded stone with the sculptural elegance of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship. Cream and honey-colored bands ripple across its elongated body, which tapers from rounded shoulders to a flared foot. A broad, flat rim crowns the short neck, balancing the vessel’s graceful proportions. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Highly prized in ancient Egypt, Egyptian alabaster is a form of banded calcite, distinct from the softer gypsum alabaster commonly used in later European decorative arts. Its warm coloring, translucency and richly varied mineral patterns made it especially desirable for fine vessels. Ancient craftsmen carved, drilled and polished the stone into containers for practical and ceremonial use, revealing its striking natural decoration. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e According to Egyptologist Olivier Perdu of the Collège de France, vessels of this type held wine for ceremonies intended to appease the Eye of Re, the powerful feminine manifestation of the sun god. Egyptian alabaster vessels also traveled far beyond Egypt, becoming prestigious possessions throughout the ancient Mediterranean. Some were subsequently reused by Phoenician elites as funerary urns, reflecting the enduring value placed on these finely worked objects. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 15 1\/2\" high x 5\" diameter","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46244107878535,"sku":"32-3205","price":58500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3205_1.png?v=1793105822"},{"product_id":"napoleon-bronze-bust-after-antoine-denis-chaudet","title":"Napoleon Bronze Bust After Antoine-Denis Chaudet","description":"Bust of Emperor Napoleon\u003cbr\u003e After Antoine-Denis Chaudet (1763–1810)\u003cbr\u003e French, 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Napoleon’s imperial authority finds powerful expression in this bronze bust, following the celebrated portrait model by Antoine-Denis Chaudet. Adopted as Napoleon’s official sculptural likeness when he became emperor in 1804, Chaudet’s design became one of the defining images of his reign. Its idealized features and classical restraint present the French ruler as an heir to the emperors of ancient Rome. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Finely articulated locks frame Napoleon’s stern, contemplative face, while his bare chest and squared shoulders create the architectural silhouette known as a herm bust. The bronze’s dark patina emphasizes the sculptural definition of his features. Beneath the portrait, a stepped pedestal bears a gold-colored “N” within a laurel wreath, reinforcing the composition’s imperial symbolism. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Chaudet’s portrait united individual likeness with the timeless authority of classical sculpture. Distributed widely in marble, bronze, plaster and Sèvres biscuit porcelain, the model helped establish Napoleon’s image throughout his empire. Related versions are preserved in the Louvre, the Fitzwilliam Museum and Sir John Soane’s Museum, reflecting the enduring significance of this celebrated imperial portrait. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Inscribed “NAPOLÉON” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On base: 26 1\/2\" high x 11 1\/2\" wide x 10\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46284375326855,"sku":"32-3040","price":39850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3040_1_57c838b0-7f39-4431-a7ac-4533b8b149b2.png?v=1793104613"},{"product_id":"benjamin-franklin-mantel-clock","title":"Benjamin Franklin Mantel Clock","description":"Benjamin Franklin Mantel Clock\u003cbr\u003e French\u003cbr\u003e 19th Century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Benjamin Franklin appears as the celebrated scientist and statesman in this exceptionally rare French mantel clock. Crafted by a French artisan in the style of Dubuc, the clock depicts the Founding Father in bronze seated beside an electrostatic machine, a reference to the electrical experiments that earned him international renown. Despite Franklin’s iconic celebrity status on both sides of the Atlantic both during and after his lifetime, clocks portraying him are exceptionally scarce. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The carefully modeled figure presents Franklin with his familiar hair, dressed in a fur-trimmed coat that he wore during his years in France. Franklin’s scientific reputation proved a powerful asset when he arrived in France in 1776 to seek support for American independence. His fame gave him access to influential French circles, and his diplomacy helped secure the alliance of 1778. French financial and military assistance subsequently proved decisive to the American victory. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Here, Franklin's gilded figure and the elaborate mounts contrast with the black case, while a white dial with Roman numerals anchors the composition. Foliate ornament surrounds the dial and continues across the base and scrolling feet. The work of a master artisan, a clock like this would have been available only to the world's most elite patrons. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 23\" high x 11\" wide x 7\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46284398395527,"sku":"32-2580","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2580_2_a711c232-7482-439f-b978-4cc8a7fb211f.png?v=1793114506"},{"product_id":"winston-churchill-christmas-postcards-and-letter","title":"Winston Churchill Christmas Postcards and Letter","description":"Christmas Postcards and Letter\u003cbr\u003e Winston Churchill\u003cbr\u003e January 30, 1951 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Winston Churchill sent this signed letter and two Christmas cards, featuring his own paintings, to his close friend Odette Pol-Roger. Dated January 30, 1951, the set reveals the leader's artistic passion and private friendships. The exchange with the matriarch of his favorite Champagne house captures a warmth rarely associated with his towering public image. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Writing from his London home at 28 Hyde Park Gate, Churchill thanks Odette for joining him at the Embassy on short notice and fulfills his promise to send cards bearing his paintings, published in the United States. He modestly remarks, “I do not know if they will amuse you, but you were good enough to express interest in them.” The cards depict \u003cem\u003eLe Béguinage, Bruges\u003c\/em\u003e, with its sunlit buildings and figures beneath tall trees, and \u003cem\u003eSirmione\u003c\/em\u003e, a tranquil scene along Italy’s Lake Garda. His handwritten salutation, “My dear Odette,” and familiar closing, “Yours ever,” convey their easy affection. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Churchill took up painting in 1915 at the age of 40, discovering a pursuit that would sustain him through decades of public responsibility. His love of color and landscape found expression in hundreds of canvases, while American Christmas cards introduced his work to a wider audience. Here, the cards and accompanying letter connect Churchill’s artistic life with the personal relationships he treasured. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 17 1\/8\" high x 21 1\/8\" wide x 7\/8\" deep (43.50 x 53.66 x 2.10 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46334915838087,"sku":"32-3298","price":12850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3298_1_43dde5cc-bc7d-4b31-91e9-dd6bb99763c8.png?v=1793640207"},{"product_id":"winston-churchill-de-gaulle-presentation-letter","title":"Winston Churchill De Gaulle Presentation Letter","description":"De Gaulle Presentation Letter and Envelope\u003cbr\u003e Winston Churchill\u003cbr\u003e October 24, 1958 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e France’s recognition of Winston Churchill’s wartime leadership provides the historical backdrop to this signed letter to his close friend Odette Pol-Roger. Written from La Pausa at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on October 24, 1958, the correspondence refers to the forthcoming presentation of the Croix de la Libération, or Cross of Liberation, by Charles de Gaulle. The honor recognized Churchill’s distinguished service to Free France during the Second World War. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Addressing his recipient as “My dear Odette,” Churchill expresses pleasure at learning that her husband’s health has improved. Odette Pol-Roger, the wife of Jacques Pol-Roger of the celebrated French Champagne house, was a cherished friend with whom he maintained a warm correspondence. He gently explains that de Gaulle, who was then France's Prime Minister, would hold the presentation privately, adding, “it is very kind of you to wish to come.” His affectionate closing, “Hoping to see you soon,” reflects their enduring friendship. The typed letter bears his handwritten subscription and signature and is framed with its accompanying envelope addressed to Madame Pol Roger in Épernay. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e On November 6, 1958, de Gaulle presented Churchill with the Cross of Liberation at the Hôtel Matignon in Paris. During the ceremony, he recognized Churchill as a companion in France’s liberation, “in honor and through victory.” The occasion acknowledged the enduring significance of their wartime alliance and served as France’s tribute to one of its foremost allies. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 17 1\/8\" high x 21 1\/8\" wide x 7\/8\" deep (43.50 x 53.66 x 2.10 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46336269418631,"sku":"32-3295","price":9850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3295_1_3418478f-d41c-4be9-a4f2-74801f33f4ab.png?v=1794000007"},{"product_id":"winston-churchill-racehorse-letter","title":"Winston Churchill Racehorse Letter","description":"Pol Roger Racehorse Betting Letter\u003cbr\u003e Winston Churchill\u003cbr\u003e April 8, 1953 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Even from 10 Downing Street, Winston Churchill found time to keep a friend informed of her fortunes at the races. In this signed letter, the prime minister updates Odette Pol-Roger on bets he placed on her behalf on his racehorse Pol Roger. Dated April 8, 1953, the correspondence combines his enthusiasm for racing with the affectionate humor of their friendship. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Odette Pol-Roger, whose family produced Churchill’s favored Pol Roger Champagne, was a cherished friend who shared his enthusiasm for racing. Addressing her by hand as “My dear Odette,” he recounts two outings in which Pol Roger finished second. A £5 wager at Lingfield proved unsuccessful, while a subsequent each-way bet at odds of 12 to one brought a partial recovery. He delivers the balance with characteristic wit: “So at the moment you are, I am sorry to say, £1 down. I hope this will soon right itself!” Written on official prime ministerial stationery, the letter closes with a handwritten expression of affection and his initial. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 13 1\/2\" high x 10 3\/8\" wide x 3\/8\" deep (34.29 x 26.23 x 0.83 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46336270467207,"sku":"32-3297","price":9850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3297_1_8dcba7ad-1810-43de-8ec5-97bee0fc7ab6.png?v=1793999994"}],"url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/collections\/11-26-for-the-history-buff.oembed?page=3","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}