Ultraluxe Jewelry Extravaganza
Lot 152248:
Description
French Napoleon Bonaparte hourglass inset with 2 rare silver 1805 coin medallions. Glass is broken. Extremely rare French Napoleonic hourglass with 2 Napoleon coin medallions, 1805. This brass hourglass is Inset on either end with the same NAPOLEON EMPEREUR 1805 Napoleon medallion coin, one end showing the obverse of the coin, the other the reverse. This commemorative medallion was minted in honor of the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of Italy, in Milan, on May 23rd, 1805, a date which appears in Roman numerals on the reverse. The obverse features a bust of Napoleon wearing the Classical laurel wreath of victory, while the reverse depicts the coronation crown. This 1805 Milan coin was minted in both bronze and silver-plated bronze. The coins used in this hourglass are of the silver-plated variety. I am not a numismatist, but I would say that the raised relief bust on Napoleon and the crown on the reverse show very good, crisp detail. The writing is also very distinct. Silver vs. Bronze version: The silver plated version of the coin is evidently much more rare than the pure bronze version, as evidenced by supply from coin dealers. The simple bronze version usually sells for $150-250 each, but I have seen the silver version in the $500-800 range, although a recent search online produced no silver examples, and only a few bronze ones–the coin is that rare. Dimensions : 3 5/8″ (92 mm) high, 1 3//4 inch (44 mm) diameter having owned the hourglass for many years, I have researched both the coins, as well as their novel incorporation into an hourglasses. I have found a few of the silver-plated coins, usually priced in the mid-hundreds each. I can assure you, however, that the twin coin embedded in hourglass configuration is such an extremely rare item that I could never find another despite much diligent searching online. In other words, for collectors of Napoleon, this listing represents truly an unlikely-to-be-seen-again opportunity to acquire a wonderful artifact. Napoleon was famously fond of medallions, commemorative coins, and medals, regarding them as great motivation for his troops. It is therefore within the realm of possibility, though far from certain, that this hourglass was commissioned by Napoleon himself, possibly for personal use or as a gift or award.
Size: 3.5″ Height
Condition: Glass is Broken. There is no sand.
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