Marshal Ney’s Telescope

Coutau-Begarie
November 18, 2020, 11:00 AM CET
Paris, France

Lot 341: TELESCOPE OF MARÉCHAL NEY (1769-1815). Large rosewood telescope, four-draw model
Est: €2,000 – €3,000
2,000 0 bids

MARSHAL NEY’S TELESCOPE
(1769-1815).
Large rosewood telescope, a retractable model with four draw sections of gilded brass that belonged to Marshal Ney as indicated in the handwritten inscription on the case “Telescope that belonged to The Mal Ney, given to my grandfather, André Philippe former quartermaster of supply and war commissioner under the 1st Empire, Émile Clavel, Honorary Archivist of the Chamber of Deputies.”

Another label accompanying the object specifies that it was acquired on the death of the marshal in 1815: “Telescope of Marshal Ney that my grandfather André Philippe, commissioner of wars under the 1st Empire had at his death (1815).”
Preserved with its original case, missing its lid.
Folded: Diam. 7 cm (2.8″) – L.: 112 cm. (44″).
Unfolded: Diam. 6 cm (2.4″) – L.: 29 cm. (11.4″).

The provenance seems credible, though hardly definitive. Just imagine the sights during countless battles, the retreat from Moscow, and at the moment of crisis at Waterloo seen through this glass by Napoleon’s fighting-est Marshal, “the bravest of the brave.”

Michel Ney, Marshal of the French Empire, Duc of Elchingen, Prince of Moscow, 1812.