Beautiful antique French silver-plated napkin ring, featuring a high-relief portrait medallion of Napoleon after the sculptor C. Seurre (1798–1858).
The front shows a finely modelled bust framed by thistles and foliage, signed C. Seurre, while the reverse bears the inscription “Malmaison”, referencing the Château de Malmaison, home of Empress Joséphine. The interlocking CL mark identifies the maker or retailer. The interior retains its original gilded finish.
Likely produced in France circa 1880–1910 during the Napoleonic Revival period, when patriotic tableware and souvenirs celebrating the First Empire were popular among collectors and households of the Belle Époque.
Material: Silver-plated bronze or brass, gilt interior
Dimensions: 40 mm high × 47 mm diameter
Weight: 58 g
Marks: C. Seurre signature, Malmaison script, interlocking CL initials
Origin: France
Date: c. 1880–1910
Good antique condition with light surface wear and age-related patina. Silver plating shows some rubbing consistent with use. No dents or repairs; presents beautifully.
The sculptor Charles Émile Seurre (1798–1858) was a leading French artist of the early 19th century, renowned for his neoclassical works and for creating the famous statue of Napoleon that once crowned the Vendôme Column in Paris.
During the late 19th century, as France embraced a renewed fascination with its imperial past, Seurre’s portraits were reproduced on decorative objects and tableware. The inscription “Malmaison” refers to Château de Malmaison, the residence of Empress Joséphine, which came to symbolize Napoleonic elegance and sentiment.
Napkin rings like this were made as souvenir and commemorative pieces and today remain prized by collectors of French Empire, Napoleonic, and Belle Époque silverware.