Pair Gilt Bronze Plaques Tsar Alexander I Emperor of Russia & Napoleon

A Fine Pair of Ormolu Portrait Plaques of Tsar Alexander I, Emperor of Russia (1759-1825) and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte of France
By André Galle (1777-1844) 
Gilt Bronze Framed Medallic Plaques
Paris, Circa 1814

Measures:-
67.5mm diameter (plaque) 90.0 mm diameter (frame)

Alexander I portrait medal, gilt-metal cliché, by André Galle, lareate head to dexter, lettered 'ALEXANDER I – IMP RUSSORUM', signed below truncation, "GALLE FECIT" within a neo-classical cast bronze frame with an inner anthemion border beneath convex glass with ribbon loop for suspension. André Galle's original trade label verso with the text "Galle aîné / Graveur et Médaillea / Vieille rue du Temple / No. 44, / A Paris," 

Napoleon portrait medal, gilt-metal cliché, by André Galle, lareate head to sinister, lettered 'NAPOLEON EMPEREUR DES FRANCAIS ET ROI D'ITALIE', signed below truncation, "GALLE FECIT" within a neo-classical cast bronze frame with an inner anthemion border beneath convex glass with ribbon loop for suspension. The profile used for medals from Napoleon's Coronation in 1804 onwards. André Galle's original trade label verso with the text "Galle aîné / Graveur et Médaillea / Vieille rue du Temple / No. 44, / A Paris," 

Alexander I entered Paris at the head of Coalition Forces to accept the city's surrender on 31st March 1814. These rare plaques by André Galle of Alexander I facing right and the companion piece of Napoleon facing left probably date from around the time of the Napoleon's abdication on 6th April 1814 and Alexander I's visit to the Hôtel de la Monnaie de Paris (the Paris Mint) on 25th May 1814.

The Russian potentate was viewed with great admiration for the restraint, fortitude and magnanimity which his forces showed towards the French capital, despite Moscow having been burned just 18 months earlier during Napoleon's occupation.

The plaques are rare not only for being a pair but for both retaining their original and extremely scarce trade labels verso.

Very rare. Good to extremely fine condition. (Diakov -) (Bramsen -)