Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria
Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria
Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria
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74<br />
FRANCE<br />
Legion <strong>of</strong> Honour medal (Gold Eagle)<br />
– Original model<br />
Aigle d’or, modèle de la crèation<br />
1804–06<br />
gold, enamel<br />
Musée national de la Légion d’honneur, Paris<br />
Gift <strong>of</strong> Bailli, Count Thierry Michel de Pierredon, 1932 inv. 02586<br />
The Armes d’honneur (Weapons <strong>of</strong> Honour)<br />
issued by the Consulate as rewards for<br />
military valour needed to be supplemented,<br />
Napoleon felt, with an award that could<br />
be granted equally to civilian and military<br />
recipients. The inherent French need to see<br />
honour rewarded required new distinctions,<br />
First Consul Bonaparte declared. A solution<br />
would be the creation <strong>of</strong> a new order, to be<br />
named the Légion d’honneur or Legion <strong>of</strong><br />
Honour in emulation <strong>of</strong> an order <strong>of</strong> merit<br />
conferred in ancient Rome.<br />
FRANCE<br />
Badge <strong>of</strong> the Grand Eagle <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Legion <strong>of</strong> Honour<br />
Plaque de grand Aigle de la<br />
Légion d’honneur<br />
1805–14<br />
metallic braid, silver foil, silver<br />
Musée national de la Légion d’honneur, Paris<br />
Gift <strong>of</strong> Mr Paolo Dardanelli, 2003 inv. 09253<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.
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