Second half 19th century, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paris, patinated bronze, the base inscribed V. VELA. F. 1867 and F. BARBEDIENNE. FONDEUR., with Achille Collas 'REDUCTION MECHANIQUE' pastille, underside numbered in black ink '780' and '630' with incised '1'.

16 1/2 x 12 x 15 1/2 in.

Vela's original life-size marble version of The Last Days of Napoleon was exhibited at the 1867 Exposition Universelle in Paris and immediately acquired for the State by Napoleon III. It is now located near Paris in the Musée national des châteaux de Malmaison et de Bois Préau. A second marble was in the collection of the Corcoran Gallery, Washington D.C. The model was subsequently edited in varying sizes in bronze by Barbedienne. The Museo Vincenzo Vela is located in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Good condition; light verdigris to underside.