Trianon model collection

Stern of Triomphant represented for the Trianon collection.

The Trianon model collection is a set of high-quality ship models ordered by Napoléon for documentary purposes.

History

In July 1810 Denis Decrès ordered 13 models to be constructed specially for the collection, while others, already built, were gathered.^[1] The models were built to a luxurious standard, with precious woods such as ebony and ivory used for the sculptures.

Models

Type	Ship classes	Armament	Picture of the model	Ship	Note
Three-decker ship of the line	Océan class	118 guns		Océan	MnM 13 MG 20. Design by Sané
80-gun Two-decker ship of the line	Tonnant and Bucentaure class	80 guns		Friedland[2]	Design by Sané
74-gun Two-decker ship of the line	Téméraire class	74 guns		Triomphant	MnM 17 MG 2. Design by Sané
64-gun Two-decker ship of the line	Artésien class	64 guns		Artésien[3]	MnM 13 MG 3. The model represents an older type of ship and was selected, already built, to be displayed a Trianon.
18-pounder Frigate	Armide class	44 guns		Flore[4]	MnM 17 MG 10. Design by Pierre Rolland
12-pounder Frigate	Galathée class	32 guns		Renommée[5]	A model of the 18-pounder frigate Renommée (1806) was taken for this one, but the model of the Trianon collection is known to have been a 12-pounder frigate
Corvette	-	22 carronades		Bayadère[6]	Model never completed
Brig		16 guns		Espérance[7]	MnM 21 MG 33 Representative but fictitious ship. Model built especially for the Trianon collection.
Fluyt	Licorne-class fluyt	24 carronades and 2 guns		Normande[8]	MnM 17 MG 12
Stable-Scow				Lionne[9]	Design by François Pestel
Stable-Barge				Unnamed[10]
Sloop-gunboat (chaloupe-canonière)
Cutter	-	16 guns		Unidentified[11]	Design by Philippe Gresle
Xebec	Requin class	24 guns		Requin[12]	The model represents an older type of ship and was selected, already built, to be displayed a Trianon.
Tartane					Model now lost [12]
Lugger
Gunboat (bateau canonnier)
Caïque	-	1 gun and 1 howitzer		Unnamed[13]
Barge	-	20 guns		Foudroyante[14]	MnM 17 MG 18 Representative but fictitious ship, distinct from the Foudroyante of 1795. Ancient model restaured for the Trianon collection but never completed. Design by Pierre-Alexandre Forfait.

Sources and References