Reliquary (1) - Wood, Napoleon I - 1821

This reliquary takes its origins from Gilbert Martineau, an eminent figure born on July 26, 1918 in Rochefort, whose dedication to Napoleonic history left an indelible mark. A distinguished naval officer and historian, Martineau served as France's honorary consul on Saint Helena, delving deep into the mysteries and stories surrounding the Emperor's captivity. As administrator of the French Estates of Sainte-Hélène, he devoted his entire life to preserving Napoleon's legacy.

In addition to his diplomatic functions, Martineau left an invaluable literary legacy with renowned works such as "Daily Life on Saint Helena in the Time of Napoleon", "Napoleon Surrenders to the English", "Napoleon and his Family" and "Napoleon at Saint Helena 1815-1821". These immortal works illuminated essential aspects of the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte, cementing his status as a preeminent expert in the Napoleonic field.

This reliquary includes 3 fragments:
-A fragment of a cheek ligature of the right front foot (in a seated position) of an armchair used by the emperor under his cabin at the Bellerophon and subsequently in his captivity (Coll. His Imperial Highness Prince Napoleon at the exhibition "Napoleon the King of Rome and the legend on November 15, 1957) .

-A second fragment of the back of the emperor's black wooden armchair at Saint Helena which was in his room used during his illness. (Coll H. H. H. Prince Napoleon and appeared in all the Napoleonic exhibitions for invalids and photographs in the large "Napoléon Illustré" by Octave Aubry p. 378 and in Volume II of the merchant's memoirs p. 257 taken on November 15, 1957.

-A third four-leaf fragment of the weeping willow which shades the tomb of the Emperor in Saint-Hélène, offered in September 1958 by the Vice-Consul of France in Saint-Hélène and curator of the French Estate. Received November 21, 1958.