Cavalry squadron standard of the National Guard of the city of Rouen, 1852 model, during the presidency of Louis Napoléon. Inventory number 32284.

REGIMENTAL STANDARD OF THE CAVALRY SQUADRON OF THE NATIONAL GUARD OF THE CITY OF ROUEN, model 1852, during the Presidency of Louis Napoleon. Inventory number 32284

Made of silk, measuring 61 cm in height, 59.5 cm in width without the pole cover, and 61 cm with the pole cover (without fringe), divided into three equal-width bands - blue on the right, white and scarlet on the left. The blue part is increased with a sheath of the same color for the pole passage (6.5 cm in width). In each corner and on both sides, a golden laurel wreath enclosing the letters "L N" is painted. The fringe is silver, medium-fine, 5 cm in length, alternating between soft "rope well" pattern and thick twisted strands called "spinach seed." The obverse is painted in gold: "LOUIS-NAPOLEON: TO THE CAVALRY SQUADRON OF ROUEN" and on the reverse: "E.F./ NATIONAL GUARDS OF THE SEINE."

France.
Presidency of Louis Napoleon.
Very good condition, with some wear and tears on the silk.

KNOWN EXAMPLES: To date, we have identified 6 examples of the 1852 model standards for the national guards of the cities of Noyon, Vitry-le-François, Boulogne, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the artillerymen of Lille, and the one from the city of Rouen presented here.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT: On December 31, 1851, President Louis Napoleon ordered the restoration of the French eagle on the army flags. On March 4, 1852, the artillery management submitted to the Minister of War, for approval, a type of eagle executed and proposed by Auguste Barre, a sculptor. The first contract included large eagles for flags and small ones for standards, but eventually only the large model was adopted. In July 1852, Marion produced the first model for the 109 eagles that were to surmount the flags and standards of the battalions and squadrons of the National Guard. These eagles, with a very different design from those of the army, have their heads turned to the right and are silver. On the escutcheon, the letters "L N" are inscribed on the obverse, and on the reverse, the name of the department with the battalion or squadron number below. The Musée de l'Armée keeps the plaster model and the eagle of the 24th battalion of the Seine, bearing on the escutcheon: "LN/SEINE/24". Contrary to regulations, this eagle is gilded. These eagles were delivered on August 15, 1852. Intended primarily for maintaining order, the National Guard was mostly composed of infantry. Each battalion had a sub-lieutenant as a standard-bearer. In July 1852, Marion was commissioned to produce flags for the National Guard, including 52 flags for the Seine battalions and 2 standards (cavalry legion of Paris and suburban squadron), 54 flags and a standard for the provincial battalions, a number later increased. For the National Guard, the flag followed the 1852 line model, with a golden laurel wreath enclosing the letters "L N" in each corner and on both sides. The fringe was silver and medium-fine. For the making of these flags, the Minister provided Marion with 250 new flags dating back to 1848, with one side blank for use, and the other side bearing "FRENCH REPUBLIC LIBERTY EQUALITY FRATERNITY". Marion also used the poles and fringes that had to be silvered as they were initially gilded. The inscriptions on these flags followed specific instructions depending on the city and type of battalion. The making of these flags began in July 1852 and continued until the end of 1853.