Arc de Triomphe et Colonne Vendôme, Bronze, 19th Century, Set of 2

Brown patina bronze reduction on black marble base of 2 of Paris’s most emblematic monuments: Arc de Triomphe and Colonne Vendôme.

The Arc de Triomphe was built on Napoleon I’s initiative, following his victory at Austerlitz in 1806, so that his victorious troops, like the Roman armies, could return to Paris under a triumphal arch. His project was taken up by his successors, and has since become a symbol of history.

The Colonne Vendôme was also erected by order of Napoleon I in 1806: inspired by the Trajan column in Rome, its original form is surmounted by a statue of Napoleon I as Caesar.
Under the July Monarchy, in 1833, this statue was removed and replaced by a representation of Napoleon as a “petit caporal”, wearing a frock coat.
Napoleon III had it replaced in 1863 with a statue similar to the original.
The column shown here depicts Napoleon as a corporal

Good overall condition, chips and stains to marble, age-related wear

Arc de Triomphe, height 20cm 19 x 12cm
Vendôme column, height 27 cm 9.5 x 9.5 cm