The dismantling for restoration of the statue of Napoleon I in Rouen (Seine-Maritime) in July 2020 recently brought to light a treasure hidden in the base.
The Ile-de-France founder to whom the work was entrusted has found a list of the people who had financed the realization of the equestrian sculpture in 1865. The craftsman also discovered a cylindrical brass case,
Le Parisien
reported on
Monday.
The latter was unsealed and coins stamped with the portrait of Napoleon III, “Emperor of the French” when the statue was erected, were found inside.
Seven pieces of bronze, five in silver and five others in gold had thus been placed in the support of the sculpture.
The numismatists of the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (Drac) are currently working on the analysis of these objects.
Documents being restored
These specialists were also commissioned to study the reasons for which these pieces had been placed in this place. It is indeed more common to find medals than coins in the foundations of a statue. After these studies, the treasure will be entrusted to the city's Villon heritage library. The forty pages of documents will delight other experts, but also the general public.
“Some Rouen residents will undoubtedly want to know if one of their ancestors […] is one of the donors”, said Élizabeth Labaye, municipal councilor at the Rouen City Hall, delegate for heritage and matrimony, cited by
Ouest-France
.
Before being scanned for easy consultation, the leaves "partly damaged by microorganisms" must be treated and disinfected, also said the elected.
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