Is this Napoleonic?

Hi guys, I got this pendant with some other medieval heraldic pendants, the guy who sold them to me said that this was an original Napoleonic french pendant but i cannot find anything similar searching the internet.

Any information would be very welcome? it measures 4.5 cm high, it has a suspension loop at the top and it has traces of gilding on it.

Thanking you in advance for any information.

 

It looks like the Roman imperial eagle, since it has both lightning and the laurel wreath.
Roman eagles have been made ever since the Roman empire.

 

Thank you for your reply. It gives me an angle on another way of researching it now.
I have a feeling though that I won't ever find out it's true origin.

 

You never know. Maybe someone else on the forum will know more, or it is one of those things that you find out about much later.
It goes with your avatar.

 

My opinion only: 20th C., probably spelter, no idea what it once held, photo, inexpensive watch, ???

 

Are there any marks?
If sterling, it looks like it was gold washed. If spelter, brass colored.

 

I'd call it post-WWII costume and not worry about it much. The faux heraldic pieces were at their most popular in the late 50s, but they've been around for a long time and are still produced. This looks like something from the 70s, but beyond that...dunno.

 

While it does have a Napoleonic theme (inspired by Imperial Rome), I agree that it is of a much later production date.

 

Hi Guys,

Thank you all for your comments, it spurred me on to find out what this is and I have just found out that it is a French Medaille Militaire of Napoleon III issued in the Crimean war, this version was issued between 1852 - 1870. It is made of cast silver but no marks and it is missing it's central emblem and ribbon.

Another mystery solved on this website. Thank you all again. I am sure that i will be back soon with another mystery object. All the best.

 

Not just the Crimean war, this is from:
http://www.legiondhonneur.fr/en/page/france/563
scroll down to second republic:

1852 Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, Prince-President creates the Médaille militaire
As Napoleon Bonaparte had done in 1802, the then Prince-President Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte associated himself with a reward institution by creating the Médaille militaire (Military Medal) on January 22, 1852.
This military medal was above all intended for the troops, too often ignored by the Legion of Honor. It has also been, by way of exception, since May 10, 1852 (date when marshals Reille and Vaillant received it), the supreme honor conferred upon victorious war leaders. This exceptional measure largely contributed to the popularity of the new insignia.
A Republican order since September 4, 1870, it adapted to the requirements of its times, and its history faithfully follows the military events of France up to today. The Médaille militaire rewards both extraordinary feats in combat as well as lengthy service in the armed forces. It may be awarded to non-French citizens.

Insignia
The insignia, silver by statute, is worn on a yellow and green ribbon, the colors of Napoleon’s Order of the Iron Crown. The portrait of the Prince-President, set in a laurel wreath, and the inscription Louis-Napoléon figures on the obverse of the medallion. An eagle with outstretched wings holding a suspension ring surmounts it. The motto, Valeur et Discipline (Valor and Discipline) is engraved on the reverse.

It was modified on November 8, 1870, so as to adjust to political changes. The Republic is represented by Ceres, topped by a trophy and the inscription République Française, 1870. This date was deleted in 1951 and replaced by a floral motif.

 

Interesting! The writeups didn't say when the separate armor-and-cannons shield changed to an integral eagle, or I didn't see that anyway. Now OP can begin a project-that of searching for the medal that fell out, or one like it. I'd bet anything they come up for sale occasionally.

 

Yes very interesting article AJ, thank you. I have been reading up on that article and some others. I can seem to spend hours wandering from one site to another researching, at least it keeps the grey matter on the go.

From this article and others I have read, the eagle did indeed cease to be used after 1870 for political reasons so at least that allows me to date my piece to an 18 year period. I know that if I try and look for a replacement medal for the centre I will get obsessed with it and my life will be go on hold ha ha, so I think I will just put this piece into my cabinet of curios for now.

Once again, thanks for the effort you put into helping, really appreciated.