LARGE BRIEFCASE OF GENERAL CÉSAR BERTHIER (1765-1819). In... Lot 330

LARGE BRIEFCASE OF GENERAL CÉSAR BERTHIER (1765-1819). In red morocco, rectangular in shape, inscribed on the front in gold letters "le général de division César Berthier", framed by a gilded stylized frieze decoration, silver lock, preserved with its key, and on the reverse a coat of arms featuring the Napoleonic imperial eagle, stamped and gilded. Lined in green morocco with compartments trimmed in green silk and edged in gold thread, with green leather flap. French work, Empire period, after 1806. Some wear and tear, interior missing, as is. H. 48 cm - L. 35 cm. History: César Berthier (1765-1819) was a French military officer and brother of the famous Marshal Louis-Alexandre Berthier (1753-1815). He was the youngest son of Jean-Baptiste Berthier, an army engineer-geographer ennobled under Louis XV. César took part in Napoleon's Italian campaign, and was promoted to brigadier general in 1802, then major general in 1806. In August 1807, he landed in Corfu, Greece, with a large military force. He helped establish the French protectorate over the Ionian Islands. Berthier died of an accident on August 17, 1819, while visiting his sister-in-law, the Princess of Wagram, at the Château de Grosbois, near Boissy-Saint-Léger.