Napoleonic Bee Lapel Pin

When Napoleon Bonaparte took up residence in the Royal Palace at Tuileries he refused to spend money on new decor. However, he could not allow the drapery - with its embroidered fleur-de-lis (the French Royal emblem) - to continue to hang in the windows of the palace. His solution was to have the rich and elegant drapes turned upside down. The inverted symbol of the overthrown monarchy looked like a bee. From then on, the tenacious bee became the emblem of Napoleon Bonaparte. Materials: pewter with Russian gold finish, tie tack post with butterfly clutch closure