Among the world's pantheon of famous personages, ranked among them easily is Napoleon Bonaparte; considered by many to be one of the most influential figures in European history. Currently, descendants of Napoleon’s wife, Josephine, include the Royal families of Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, and Luxembourg.
He was Born in 1769, and what makes him particularly interesting to me is that he was crowned the Emperor of France by 1804 (an accomplishment reached by age 35). It's guys like this that make me work so hard, and I become fascinated by the subtle values of his character. What did he read, know and believe, what inspired his imagination, and what gave him his determination and ambitions?
In the year 1799, after Napoleon returned from an expedition in Egypt, he commissioned a spectacular sculpted and jeweled piece of artwork. This was Napoleon’s “talisman” or “good luck charm” as we might call it today. Napoleon spent a considerable amount of time planning the intricate design of the jewels that compose the base of this sphinx. The jewels are arranged in a secret code that reflects Napoleon’s love for his wife, Josephine, and his successful military and political career.
The piece which has also been called "The Sphinx of Josephine" was made of pure crystal, which was a material considered magical from time immemorial. Although it is made of matter, it is purposely transparent, representing an intermediary state between what is visible and what is not. More on this can be found at the link above the top picture.
Follow @Iamindemand on Twitter Right Now!!!
