Napoleon II’s Throne Cradle
On 20th March 1811, Empress Marie~Louise gave birth to the heir to the imperial throne, Napoleon II.
Two weeks earlier, the Prefect of the Département de la Seine, Frochot, and the Conseil Municipal had offered on behalf of the City of Paris, a cradle fit for the longed-for future emperor.
A traditional present for this sort of event, the cradle of the Roi de Rome is remarkable for its extraordinary magnificence.
A work of almost unbelievable opulence, the cradle is one of the finest pieces of imperial furniture.
Standing on feet fashioned as crossed Horns of Plenty, the cradle is decorated with mother-of-pearl balusters, set on a background of nacarat velvet, spotted with gilt bees.
At the head of the cradle, there is a shield bearing the Emperor’s cypher, encircled by palms and laurels.
Above, Winged Victor soaring over the world, bears a double crown of stars and laurels, from which hang the drapes.
At the other end, an eaglet appears to be about to take flight towards this allegory of triumph and immortality.
It was in this formal presentation cradle, that the baby was laid on the day of his birth.
He did, of course, have much more run-of-the-mill cradles, provided for his everyday sleeping arrangements.
This cradle was taken to Austria in 1814, on the request of Marie Louise, and is currently on display at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
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