A Paris porcelain teacup and saucer thought to have been used by Napoleon Bonaparte around the time of his Abdication in 1814 at Chateau de Fontainebleau

Presented in an early 19th century leather case stamped with gilt tooled N and 'La Tasse de l'Empereur 1814' and bees and laurel wreaths, accompanied by letters related to the provenance of the cup, 16cm high, 16cm deep, (4)

Provenance:
Pierre Désiré Hauquelin (1821-1907);
Thence by descent to the present owner

The letters accompanying this lot relate to the provenance of the piece and one of them states: 'My dear friend, will you accept this little historical souvenir in token of my gratefulness for all your goodness to my course during the War (ed. First World War). This cup and saucer was given to me the 4th August 1907 by Monsieur le Canon Pierre Désiré Hauquelin, honorary Canon of Versailles Cathedral, who was born in Vayrs (Vayres sic.) in 1821. He died on the 19th of August 1907, ten days after having given me the card of authenticity which he, being too weak to write himself, dictated to his friend the Canon Capry [...].
Having shown it to me on a few occasions during his illness, he had each time assured me that it was in this cup that Napoleon had taken his breakfast the day of his Abdication at Fontainebleau. It was then taken by his grandfather, (valet and 'chambre du Marquis' of the Tour du Pin I think I am right in recalling) and it did not leave the Hauquelin family. He wanted that these two objects were guarded by some persons capable of appreciating all the souvenirs that they conjure up. I don't think I can find a better guardian than you, I entrust you with them, certifying that the cup and saucer, such as they are, were given to me on August 4th, 1907.