A handsome and most decorative true pair of French 19th century patinated Bronze and Rosa Sienna marble statues of Grenadier Guards, attributed to Étienne-Henri Dumaige. Each wonderful statue is raised on a rectangular Sienna marble base below a ground designed... — Read More

A handsome and most decorative true pair of French 19th century patinated Bronze and Rosa Sienna marble statues of Grenadier Guards, attributed to Étienne-Henri Dumaige. Each wonderful statue is raised on a rectangular Sienna marble base below a ground designed patinated Bronze base plate on which the soldiers stand. Each guardsmen is dressed in classical battle attire, with one balancing himself on his rifle against the ground and the other ready to take aim. Both guards wear distinct bearskin hats, with backpacks and sachels slung down their backs. An Imperial Eagle is shown on one man's sachel, differentiating these soldiers from their British counterparts.

The Grenadiers of the Old Guard were originally a group of elite soldiers of the French Army under the direct command of Napoleon, but grew considerably over time. It acted as his bodyguard and tactical reserve. The Guard received better pay, rations, quarters, and equipment, and all guardsmen ranked one grade higher than all non-Imperial Guard soldiers. Other French soldiers even referred to Napoleon's Imperial Guard as "the Immortals". — Read Less