(c) 2019 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

Flag

maker Unknown

Date1813-1814

Place MadeFrance, Europe

MediumSilk tabby, silk and gilt yarns, satin, gilt sequins, bosses, spiral wires

Dimensions101.6 x 102.2 cm (40 x 40 1/4 in.)

ClassificationsTextile Arts

Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

Accession numberT17s1.c

Status

Not on view

Web CommentaryThis lavishly embroidered standard is either the original flag of the most prestigious unit within Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte’s Grand Army or an early reproduction. Flags like this one were carried on staffs capped with a gilt bronze eagle to symbolize the divine authority of the First Empire of Napoleon. Isabella Stewart Gardner was fascinated by French history and displayed this flag (and its eagle finial, which was stolen from the museum in 1990) in the foyer of her 152 Beacon Street home and later in the Short Gallery.

Id725522

Last Updated8/14/24

Alt. No. 2 (Cavallo)117

Alt. No. 1 (Siple)022

EmbARK ObjectID12270

Previous NumberT17s1

Source ID1403