Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria
Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria
Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
210<br />
Martin-Guillaume BIENNAIS silversmith<br />
French 1764–1843<br />
Napoleon’s travelling toiletries<br />
necessities kit<br />
Nécessaire de portemanteau de l’Empereur<br />
Empire period 1804–15<br />
silver, silver-gilt, copper, Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla),<br />
steel, ivory, mother-<strong>of</strong>-pearl, tortoiseshell, mirror<br />
Fondation Napoléon, Paris<br />
Acquisition 2001 inv.1160<br />
In addition to luxurious nécessaires de voyage<br />
or travelling necessities kits, the Emperor<br />
also had a number <strong>of</strong> smaller, plainer and<br />
lighter kits that could be easily carried in<br />
a horse’s saddlebag. This nécessaire is the<br />
one used by Napoleon on the morning <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Battle <strong>of</strong> Austerlitz. Its extremely functional<br />
contents include a mirror, shaving brush,<br />
razor strop, tongue scraper, tweezers, comb,<br />
flasks and box for opiates, as well as items<br />
for everyday usage, such as a penknife, boot<br />
jack, corkscrew and folding ruler.<br />
© COPYRIGHT<br />
This document remains the property <strong>of</strong> the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Gallery</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> and must be returned upon request. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without written authorisation.
Change language