Chalice for the Coronation of Napoleon I 1804

Charles Percier created this design for a chalice for Napoleon's coronation around the turn of the 19th century in France. Percier's neo-classical style, a language of power and authority, reflects the shifting political landscape of post-revolutionary France, where Napoleon sought to establish his own empire, modeled after those of antiquity. This chalice, with its delicate details and grandiose form, exists at the intersection of religious symbolism and imperial ambition. As we consider this chalice, we must also reflect on how objects of power, such as this, serve to legitimize and perpetuate particular narratives, often at the expense of marginalized communities. Percier was tasked with visually translating Napoleon's desire for legitimacy and dominance. Consider the weight of history, the burden of representation, and the silent stories embedded within this ceremonial object. Can you sense the artist's hand, guided by the desires of an emperor, striving to shape a legacy?