A Collection of Napoleonic-era Relics

A French Napoleonic M.1812 Cuirassier’s Breastplate.
A most interesting example, in excavated condition and found some years ago near to Waterloo, that has been hit by a large cannonball on its left lower edge around the wearer’s navel, which has twisted that area totally out of shape, and has also bent the entire breastplate, indicating the force of the hit, relic condition £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Napoleonic-era Relics.

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The Cuirassiers’ back and front plates were the most desirable objects to bring back by the early visitors to the battlefield in 1815. See ‘Waterloo Witnesses’ by K. Hughes for an account of this practice.