France, Battle of Waterloo Transfer Print Snuff Box
Chevalier d'Assas was not at Waterloo, but the feature in the middle seems to be a monument to the one who died at the battle of Kloster-Kampen in 1760 when, taken prisoner, he warned a group of comrades that they were about to be ambushed. This violated his protected status as a prisoner, and he was promptly killed by his captors. He was remembered as a martyr to French honour, as indicated in the bottom description. The implication seems to be that this was all of a piece with the famous last act of Waterloo, when General Cambronne, surrounded and called upon to surrender, allegedly responded by shouting Merde! But many refused to believe that he said it, preferring the politer words inscribed on the flag above the monument, a Frenchman dies, he does not surrender. Most of those with Cambronne went that way, but ironically the man himself survived, forever famous for his defiance, however expressed...
It is very unusual a French box commemorating the Battle of Waterloo, albeit that they have the correct date but wrong year, 1814.
If you require further information on this item you can contact us in a number of ways. Click here to see our contact information.
Id:5315 Q:0