I love meeting fellow Napoleonic enthusiasts, such as my new friend Alix Sundquist. Her fascination began when, twelve years old and living in Argentina, she came across Emil Ludwig’s Napoleon in the library at her grandfather’s estancia. She’s been hooked on Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte ever since. After a career in the U.S. Foreign Service, she founded Swan Ways, a purveyor of scarves and shawls based on Josephine Bonaparte’s fashions.
Here’s Alix’s description of this beautiful silk scarf she designed:
“The Eagle scarf celebrates the legendary love story of Napoleon I (1769-1821), Emperor of the French, and his incomparable empress, Josephine (1763-1815). The design brings together a rich tapestry of imperial symbolism and the Napoleonic legend.
The centerpiece is a golden eagle, a Roman symbol of power and independence adopted by Napoleon to represent the new French Empire. It is set against a royal blue background dotted with golden bees, chosen by Napoleon as one of the imperial emblems. Golden bees were found in the tomb of King Childeric I, King of the Franks, in the fifth century A.D., so by adopting this emblem Napoleon associated his rule with the earliest French kings. The border is framed by laurel wreaths, a symbol of the god Apollo in Greek mythology, and a Roman symbol of military victory. The sides feature insignias of the Légion d’Honneur, established by Napoleon to reward service to the nation, and the iconic imperial monogram, the upper case “N.” The corners have other major symbols of Napoleonic lore: the mythical hat, a pair of swans, and a coin with the double profile of Napoleon and the empress Josephine. The swan, a favorite emblem of the empress, represents fidelity and grace. The most elegant of creatures, the swan can both fly and swim and mates for life. With its beautiful long neck and regal deportment, the swan is a perfect symbol of feminine seduction, and of the woman who was Napoleon’s only great love.”
Visit Alix’s website at www.swanways.com, but don’t buy me an Eagle scarf—I already have one!
Hello Margaret, I have an original period watercolor titled in French (of course) “Prince Eugene at the tomb of his Mother”… I suspect it was produced circa 1814/15 as it is NOT the later monument in the church. I have not been able to find any illustration of Empress Josephine’s first grave marker?. any suggestions and would you care to see the image? Respectfully Yours Joseph Donnelly former director of Bumps gallery ,Los Angeles
Hello, Mr Donnelly,
I would indeed love to see an image of your watercolor (and if given permission, show it on my website). It sounds fascinating. Unfortunately, I don’t know a source for an illustration of Josephine’s first grave marker, but you might try contacting the museum for the Chateau de Malmaison where she lived. The email address I found for them is reservation.malmaison@culture.gouv.fr.
The other possibility is contacting Sondra Gulland, the author of the Josephine trilogy, through her website: https://www.sandragulland.com. Also, the folks at https://www.napoleon.org/ are helpful.
Thank you for commenting on my site and I do hope you will send me the image.
All the best,
Margaret