Writing Case and Pen Case
Location
Title
Writing Case and Pen Case
Date
After 1805
Materials
Long grain red morocco, gilt fittings
Dimensions
Writing case: 32.2 x 33 cm; Pen case : 31.5 cm (h.), 3.8 cm (diam.)
Credits
Ben Weider Collection, inv. 2008.404.1-2
Collection
Decorative Arts and Design
That this writing case and pen case belonged to the Emperor is clear from the inscription “Napoleon, Emperor and King”. The stains on the leather betray Napoleon’s slapdash writing; he was famous for splashing the ink around. His white cashmere breeches were constantly stained with ink, as he wiped his pen on them when writing. This item, unique among Napoleonic collections, also bears the imperial emblems: laurels, oak leaves and gold bees.
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