Three medallions in "hardened wood" (Bois Durci) representing the portraits in relief of Napoleon III Emperor, Eugenie Empress and Napoleon Prince, attributed to Francois Lepage

Three medallions in "hardened wood" (Bois Durci) representing the portraits in relief of Napoleon III Emperor, Eugenie Empress and Napoleon Prince Imperial Born16 March 1856
depicting Napoleon III (1808-1873) the Empress Eugenie (1826-1920) and their only son Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (1856-1879) based on the medals of Jules constant Peyre, in heated wood pressed according to François Charles Lepage's patent (1803-1868); patent filed in 1856.
The three medallions with their original small hooks to each top.

The manufacture of Bois Durci was patented in Paris in 1856 by Francois Lepage and was achieved by mixing a very fine sawdust, usually ebony or rosewood, with albumen -the sticky substance found in blood or eggs- and combining the two in a steel mould under heat and pressure.


Please do not hesitate to contact me as I am happy to organise shipping worldwide.