Louis
A few years ago I acquired a large collection of very old stock from a Paris jeweller’s workshop. Amongst the treasure was a small plaster cameo of the somewhat colourful figure of Louis Alexandre de Bourbon, Comte de Toulouse (1678 - 1737). He was an illegitimate son of Louis XIV, later to become one of the legitimised princes, but after the death of Louis, removed from the line of succession to the throne.
At the age of five he became Grand Admiral of France, and during the War of the Spanish Succession he commanded the French fleet at the Battle of Velez-Malaga in 1704, claiming victory over the British. No ships were sunk during the battle and the British also claimed victory - so more of a score draw... (vitreous enamel on steel and patinated bronze)
