NAPOLEONIC PORTRAIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 791, 22 August 1923, Page 11

NAPOLEONIC PORTRAIT.

FOUND IN JUNK SHOP. MAN'S GOOD FORTUNE. MELBOURNE Aug. 9. Nine years ago in a junk shop at Hong Kong, Mr N. Ainsworth, foreign affairs officer of the Commonwealth, picked up a curious trinket of painted ivory, framed in brass. Yesterday an English art expert (Captain Falcko) pronounced it a genuine example of a Napoleonic miniature painting and well over 100 years old. He would not put a value on it but it is probably worth many times its weight in gold. It_ is a speaking likeness of Napoleon in his familiar uniform of scarlot, grey and blue. It is not so much tho richness of colouring or oven the signature of David, the court painter; which convinces experts of its authenticity, but it is tho arresting steel eyes .and the living lips which declare unimpeachably that the littlo Corsican himself sat for tho portrait. A feature of tho frame is the monogram. "N" worked in filigree. In tho corners tho porcelain mount is intact as is also tho ivory on which painting is executed, but there are one or two small scratches which show on examination, in parts of the portrait. How it readied Hong Kong will Brobably- remain for over a mystery, lavid was appointed court painter to Napoleon in 1804, and is tho auhtor of tho famous picturo of Napoleon on Mt. St. Bernard.

David ended his days in exile in punishment for his participation in the revolution,