Consulate General Officer's Saber

Luxury general officer's saber that can be dated to the Consulate.
Guard with simple branch in column joining the cruise at right angle, decorated in the middle with a cartouche representing Bonaparte at the Pont d'Arcole, as painted by Antoine-Jean Gros in 1796 in his famous painting. The cap is shaped like a lion's head. The quillon is winding. The blackened wooden handle is finely squared. The oval earpieces are decorated with a woman making an offering.
The blade is curved with a single hollow side, one-third blued and decorated with floral motifs and golden weapon trophies.
On the guard side, the embossed brass scabbard is bordered by a frieze along its entire length and decorated with three cabochons representing weapon trophies and the bust of Athena, goddess of war. It ends with a foliage decoration made with lines. On the counter-guard side the scabbard is smooth, only bordered by friezes. Bail bracelets are decorated with diamond patterns.
This weapon retains much of its gilding.