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When Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French in 1804 he was anxious to associate the new Imperial title with the name of Charlemagne, and a new set of regalia to which the name of Charlemagne was attached was provided. It was made by the court goldsmith Biennais, and is an idealised historical reconstruction, in which numerous Roman cameos are set, they come from the bust of St Benedict (once stored at St Denis and destroyed in 1793). The crown was not used for the actual crowning, but was carried throughout the ceremony, Napoleon crowned himself with a gold laurel wreath instead. The new crown is now kept in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Napoleon I was crowned Emperor of the French on a cold December 2nd in 1804. Napoleon planed his coronation with as great a care as he did his wars. At 9 a.m. the Papal procession set out from the Pavillon de Flore at Tuileries. Pope Pius VII rode to the coronation in gaily decorated coaches pulled by horses of great beauty. The Papal procession was led by a bishop on a mule bearing aloft the Papal crucifix. Napoleon's royal coach ornamented with gold and emblazoned with a capital N, was drawn by eight horses, and bearing the Emperor dressed in purple velvet embroidered with gems and gold. With him was Josephine robed in silk and sparkling gems. It took an hour for all the carriages to reach the cathedral. As each group reached Notre-Dame cathedral they took their places. The Pope and his retinue marched up the aisle in formal array and Pope Pius VII took his place on his throne at the left of the altar. After Napoleon and Josephine arrived at the cathedral, they changed into their red coronation robes. Napoleon took his place on a throne at the right of the altar with Josephine on a smaller throne five steps below.
Base metal: Lead free Pewter silver toned, velvet hat, Swarovski ELEMENTS. This product comes with a Gift box and romance story card.
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