Death Mask

    Death Mask

    Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor of France and King of Italy and considered the most brilliant general of his time. Upon his death in 1821, doctors made a mold of his face, a routine act to avoid mistaken identity. Numerous copies were made, and it is thought that The W.H. Stark House has one of only a few of the surviving documented masks. The Death Mask rests on a separate pillow base decorated with corner tassels and olive branch wreaths.

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    Death Mask

    Bronze
    Napoleon Death Mask
    Circa 1883
    Signed (see inscription information below)
    Mask: 13”L x 4 7/8”W x 7”H
    Pillow: 14”L x 10”W x 7”H
    1981.514.001 A & B
    The W.H. Stark House
    Location 232000

    Signed “Richard and Quesnil Foundry/Par L Richard et Quesnil/A Paris”
    Right side of neck: “Dr. F. Antommarchi”
    Left side of neck: “Napoléon Emp. Et Roi/sourscription/Dr Antommarchi I 1833.”
    Seal inscription