A lock of hair from the head of Napoleon Bonaparte, the lock in a figure of eight is set amongst

A lock of hair from the head of Napoleon Bonaparte, the lock in a figure of eight is set amongst gold and silver formal foliage, at the centre an `N` beneath glass, it is framed in a brooch with a line of pearls and black enamel, the back is engraved "Napoleon Bonaparte lock of his hair, given to Mrs Riley, Major Poppleton 27 July 1821". Captain William Thomas Poppleton of the 53rd Regiment acted as the Emperor`s orderly, they were almost in daily contact. Poppleton was an important link between Bonaparte and the British Authorities, he was given a lock of hair and a gold snuff box, this lock is thought to have been divided into three, one was given to an Uncle, Colonel O`Hara, the second stayed with his family and was given to his regimental museum and the present lock was given to Mrs Riley, about whom we have been able to find nothing. Included with the lock is a document which we believe contained the lock when it was given to Mrs Riley, it is addressed to her with much gratitude, it is signed and dated 27th July 1821. This brooch formed part of an important collection of Napoleonic material, most of the collection was dispersed by auction in the 1980`s but there remains the two following lots, a portrait of Napoleon and a portrait of Wellington. The archival material from the collection was sold at Sotheby`s, New Bond Street, 17th May 1991. With this lot is included photocopies of the dispersed material.