"Le Canot Imperiale " was built in 1811 as a royal barge for Napoleon's inspection of the fortifications of Antwerp. The magnificent barge is now on display in the Musee de la Marine in Paris.

Model made by Mr. Giovanni Scardinale

Model represents "Le Canot Imperiale", Napoleon's Imperial barge. In 1810, Napoleon's Minister for the Navy, M. Laussat and Admiral Decres ordered the construction in Antwerp, Belgium of a unique vessel which would carry the Emperor in triumphant nautical parades. Its' construction began under the direction of master carpenter Le Theau of Granville, France. The design of "Le Canot Imperiale " was halfway between an ancient galley and a Venetian gondola, and can best be described as a Royal barge.The detailed wooden sculptures were the work of Yves Collet, master sculpture of Brest. Napoleon used this boat only once, on the occasion of his visit to Antwerp. Afterwards, the barge came to Brest, where it was used only rarely on special occasions like the visit of Napoleon 111 in 1858 and the visit of the President of the Republic in 1903. Today the ship is on permanent display in the entrance hall of the Musee de la Marine in Paris.
Mr Scardinale donated this gift as a token of his gratitude to his adopted country, Australia .

Ship model, "Le Canot Imperiale"; a unique vessel to carry the Emperor Napoleon in triumphant nautical parade.
Model of a ceremonial barge, wooden, with two sets of 14 oars, cabin surmounted by a group of four figures holding aloft the imperial French crown. The bow has a sculptural group representing Neptune with crown and trident riding on a dolphin, accompanied on either side by winged tritons each followed by a dolphin , while aft has the Imperial seal and a figurative duo. Both aft & bow decorations are wooden. The hull is painted white with gilded scrolled decorations on the outside rail on a blue & red border. The cabin is painted white with the gilded trim. The barge is mounted on a laquered wooden base. Includes two French flags mounted on the deck.

Designed: Scardinale, Giovanni; Sydney

Made: Scardinale, Giovanni; Sydney; 1977

Carved wooden plaque fitted onto base with black handwritten script "1977-1810/ Le Canot Imperial/ Gianni Scardini."

B2442

400 mm

320 mm