Rare early c19th cowrie shell cameo depicting Marshal Michel Ney, the French commander and Marshal of the Empire who fought in the Napoleonic Wars.
Exquisite carving on such a small scale, the military uniform,the epaulettes, the hair and the expression are all masterfully executed.c.1810.
The cameo measures a mere 2.5cms by 2cms.
These mottled tiger cowrie shells were used in the late c18th and early c19th always to beautiful effect, and the surface has a distinctive bloom.
The cameo is housed in his original rope-twist frame.
Bonaparte considered Ney “the bravest of the brave”.There is much to read about his illustrious military career.Ultimately after the fall of Napoleon at Waterloo he was captured and condemned to death for treason against Louis XVIII.He was executed Dec.7th 1815.