MARSHAL NEY AT WATERLOO

On the evening of June 18, 1815 the Battle of Waterloo reached it's high water mark and Napoleon's army had scattered to the wind in a panic route of fugitives. Many senior officers were killed that day and throngs of leaderless soldiers choked the roads of retreat among the confusion of fire and explosions.

Into this fray jumped Marshal Ney - "Bravest of the Brave" and hero of the retreat from Moscow in 1812. A handsome auburn charismatic leader, Marshal Ney was in command of the 1st and 2nd French Carps at Waterloo but fought as a front line trooper that day having five horses killed from beneath him. Soaked with blood and sweat, his uniform disheveled and muddy, his sword snapped in two from beating it in a savage rage, Ney heroically endeavored to stem the tide and rally some last resistance. But to no avail - he was swept away with the ocean of desperation.

This half life-size statue shows Ney in his moment of steel resolve. His eyes are glaring and his jaw is set. His fingers clutch. His uniform coat is worn unbuttoned and he has used his neck cravat to bind a hand wound.

Ney's famous broken sword was a special wax hilt sculped by myself and cast in a beautiful yellow bronze polished smooth. The blade is real steel and the belt plate and scabbard are copper repousse which is the delicate engraving and tooling of decorative motifs from the reverse side of sheet metal.

The uniform features half-size gold embroidered collar and cuffs in the exact regulation pattern for Marshals of France and gold bullion epaulettes with the rank insignia of crossed batons. This insignia is also found on the sash tassels and buttons.

The statue itself is made from steel, fiberglass and cast resin, stands 36" tall and comes with a realistic ground work base. A welded steel rod inserted into the right leg supports the figure upright.