Napoléon I in the British collections
Goodwood House
www.goodwood.com
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Text: James Peill, former Curator of the Duke of Richmond’s Collection, Goodwood House.
Goodwood House, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon combines the glamour of a great English country house with the warmth of a family home. It also provides a dramatic setting for one of the most significant private art collections in the country. The State Apartments, restored to their full Regency splendour, reflect the exoticism and opulence of this period.
Le fauteuil de Napoléon
Following the battle of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington presented the 4th Duke of Richmond with Napoleon’s campaign chair. This was the ultimate ‘trophy of war’, given as a personal token of thanks by Wellington to Richmond and his wife for hosting their famous ball in Brussels a few days earlier. He was extremely grateful for the Duke and Duchess’ sang-froid in the face of the enemy advancing, an action which helped to prevent a stampede of civilians fleeing Brussels.
The mahogany bergère was probably made by the father and sons firm of Jacob-Frères, leading French cabinet-makers who specialised in chairs. It is designed in the fashionable Empire style, named after the First French Empire. The shape, with curved solid back in beautifully-figured mahogany recalls ancient Roman chairs. The centre of the leather seat was originally stamped ‘N’ and was cut out when Napoleon was exiled on Elba.
The 4th Duke of Richmond started a family tradition of always using the chair to work in. Today, it is used on a daily basis by his descendant, the 11th Duke of Richmond.
LES AMIS DU PATRIMOINE EUROPÉEN 