Seal for the ‘Ceremonies and Introduction of Ambassadors’
1798-1809
Wood and silver
30 x 85 cm
A silver and wood seal with Imperial coat of Arms and the inscription: CEREMONIES
ET INTRODUCTION DES AMBASSADUERS.
This seal was used by Louis Philippe, comte de Ségur (1753-1830) who held the titles
of Conseiller d'Etat, Grand-Maître des Cérémonies. Introducteurs des Ambassadeurs,
Maîtres des Cérémonies (Member of the council of state, grand master of the ceremonies,
and senator). In 1804 Segur oversaw the planning and organisation of Napoleon’s coronation
and up until the fall of the Empire it was his responsibility to plan and oversee
every major ceremony. In 1814 Ségur voted for the deposition of Napoleon and entered
Louis XVIII's Chamber of Peers. Deprived of his offices and functions in 1815 for
having joined Napoleon during the Hundred Days, he was reinstated in 1819. He supported
the Revolution of 1830 that saw the removal of Charles X, but died shortly afterwards
in Paris. He is buried in Pere-Lachaise cemetery.
