394 of 2346 lots
394
France, Kingdom of Napoleon, Andre Massena, Prince of Essling, Death Medal, 1817, EF
Estimate:
AU$150 - AU$200
Passed
Live Auction
Roxbury Auction No. 112 - Wed 20th - Friday 22nd of July (QLD TIME)
Description
Bare head of Napoleon's favourite General, Marshal Massena left/Birth and death dates in wreath, 42mm by Barre. Andr� Mass�na, Prince of Essling and�Duke of Rivoli�(born 16 May 1758, died 4 April 1817), was a French military commander during the French Revolutionary Wars�and the Napoleonic War. He was one of the original 18�Marshals of the Empire�created by Napoleon, given the nickname�'L'enfant Cheri de la Victoire'�(the Dear Child of Victory). Although he was made a marshal in 1804, Massena had little respect for Napoleon�s imperial regime. He reconquered Calabria from the British in 1806 and in 1808 was made Duc de Rivoli. In 1809 he displayed stunning heroism in two important battles against the Austrians, at Aspern-Essling (near Vienna) on May 21/22 and at Wagram�on July 5/6. Napoleon rewarded him with the title of Prince d�Essling in January 1810. Born in Sardinia of humble stock, he rose to become one of the most cherished of Bonaparte's officers.