2-982-373 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Funeral Car of Napoleon I., 1858. '...a most interesting relic...namely, the hearse in which was conveyed the body of the Imperial exile to St. Helena to the tomb in 1821. The funeral car consists of the lower portion of the carriage used by Napoleon in his solitary rambles over the rugged roads of the island, and which, at his desire, was transformed into his funeral bier...The French Government having expressed a wish to possess all relics appertaining to the last days of Napoleon, application was made...to have the car presented to the French nation...But such was the injury the car had sustained by time, and the numerous dilapidations caused by visitors anxious to possess even the smallest relic as a memento, that it was deemed necessary to have it removed to the carriage department at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, to be renovated and decorated...the car now presents a truly magnificent appearance, being fitted up with superfine black cloth, plaited elaborately, with silk fringe to match, having beautifully-fluted angular corners; the whole being surmounted with ostrich-feather plumes. Great praise is due to Messrs. T. Bilsbury and T. Day for the artistic and elegant manner in which they have executed the whole work intrusted to their charge'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.