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France - 1806

Arc de triomphe du Carrousel

Obverse:

similar to the preceding.

Reverse:

a triumphal arch, surmounted by a chariot, in which stands the Emperor drawn by four horses; on the pediment over the centre arch, a tablet with the inscription, NAPOLEON EMP ET ROI, &c. &c.; on each side of the tablet a bas relief: over the arches NAPOLEON . I . EMPEREUR DES FRANÇAIS ROI D'ITALIE, underneath bas reliefs.

Exergue:

AUX ARMES MDCCCVI. BRENET F FONTAINE ARC. DENON D.

Laskey:

This medal commemorates the erection of the triumphal arch in the place de Carousel, at Paris: it is modelled after the antique arch of Septimius Severus. It consists of three arches, crossed by a transverse arch; its altitude is about 45 feet, breadth 60 feet, and its thickness 28½ feet; the area of the centre arch is near 14 feet, that of the others about 8½ feet; the whole is formed of hard Italian sand-stone of a very fine grain. Eight columns of the red marble of Languedoc embellish the two principal fronts, and support a projecting entablature; the frieze is composed of Italian griote, upon which are placed as many statues as represent the costume of the infantry and cavalry, which compose the French army; these columns are of the Corinthian order, and have their bases and capitals of bronze; the concaves over the lateral portals are decorated with thunderbolts, branches of laurel and palms, and also with various bas reliefs representing the principal events of the reign of Napoleon, all of excellent workmanship; the four celebrated horses of Lysippus, brought from Venice, are attached to the car, which surmounts the whole.

The same orator, as mentioned in the preceding medal, says: "This triumphal arch will be ever beheld with emotions of love. Here every heart with praise him, who was the author of so much good; let us render our homage, by wishing that his talents as a warrior may become useless; he will always find within himself our springs of greatness; his renown as a conqueror, will be but the weakest part of his glory."

Bramsen:

Bramsen - 557 Arc de triomphe du Carrousel (Brenet).
NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI. Buste lauré, à droite.	Rev: Vue de l'arc de triomphe élevé sur la place du Carrousel, devant les Tuileries. Sur le sommet, l'empereur en costume romain, debout dans un char attelé de quatre chevaux. Sur l'attique, une inscription, dont les mots suivants sont lisibles: NAPOLEON EMP ET ROI.
	Sur la frise: NAPOLEON I EMPEREUR DES FRANÇAIS ROI D'ITALIE.
	Exergue: AUX ARMÉES MDCCCVI., et au-dessous: BRENET F. FONTAINE ARC. DENON D.
Médaille, 41 mm. - T.N. 16, 10; H. m. 36, 124; M.F. 360, 50.

d'Essling:

d'Essling - 1156 Arc de triomphe du Carrousel (Droz, Andrieu et Brenet).
Tête de Nap. à dr.	R. Vue de l'Arc de triomphe.
(TN 16.10 - M. 124 - B. 557) Arg et Br. 41 mm. (5 var. d'avers).