CXVI - 1810

Statue de Desaix
Obverse - Laskey CXVI Reverse - Laskey CXVI
Obverse - Head of Napoleon laureated.
Legend, NAPOLEON EMP ET ROI; on the base of the bust, ANDRIEU F.
Exergue, DENON DIRT. 
Reverse - a full length figure naked, except a chlamys which is clasped to his sword-belt, over his right shoulder and thrown over the left arm, which is extended; the sword-belt crosses his chest, to which is suspended the scabbard; his right hand rests on a sword, which is pointed to the ground; on the right, the French eagle-standard erect, and on his left, the head of Memnon, and Cleopatra's Needle, at the base of which, lies a MSS. superscribed with hieroglyphicks; the stone also on which he stands, appears sculptured with similar characters, denoting that he fought under the banners of Napoleon in Egypt.
Legend, BRENET F. DENON D.
Exergue, A DESAIX XV AOUT MDCCCX
Size, 1 5/8 inches.

Laskey's Narrative:

There is another medal on this occasion, similar, but wants the artist's name, Denon, on the exergue of the obverse.

The government of France decreed, that a statue should be erected to the honour of General Desaix, who fell mortally wounded in the moment of victory, at the battle of Marengo - (See Nos. 13 and 50,) on which decree this medal was ordered to be struck.

Note: This is a trial strike of the reverse only.

Bramsen - 976
Statue de Desaix. (Brenet.)
NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI. Tête laurée, à droite. Rev: Une figure héroïque debout, le bras gauche étendu et de la main droite tenant une épée; à gauche un étendard français; à droite, un obélisque chargé de caractères hiéroglyphes, au pied duquel une tête de sphinx.
Exergue: A DESAIX XV AOUT MDCCCX.
Médaille, 41 mm. - T. N. 40, 8; H. m. 46, 265; M. F. 390, 157.
La statue de Desaix, élevée sur la place des Victoires le 15 août 1810, fut généralement jugée mauvaise et bientôt retirée.
d'Essling - 1321
Monument Desaix (Andrieu et Brenet)
Tête laurée de Nap. à dr. R. Le général deb. tenant épée. A sa dr. obélisque et tête de sphinx; à sa g. un étendard.
(TN. 40.8 - M. 265 - B 976) Arg. et br. 41 mm. 2 var. d'avers.
La statue de Desaix fut élevée place des Victoires le 15 août 1810.