A pair of ormolu equine portraits of famous war horses ‘Copenhagen’ and ‘Marengo’

A pair of ormolu equine portraits of famous war horses ‘Copenhagen’ and ‘Marengo’, each with a beautifully detailed horse, the slightly stockier horse, with an elaborate deep saddle with a triangular cloth and  padded roll, is probably Marengo while Copenhagen has a simpler harness and rangier body, on the original velvet ground and within rosewood a frame. English, circa 1860.

Marengo (c. 1793–1831) was Emperor Napoleon’s grey Arab war horse named after the Battle of Marengo in Italy.   Although technically a pony at 14.1 hands, he was indomitable.  Wounded eight times in his career, he carried the increasingly overweight Emperor at the battles of Austerlitz, Wagram and Waterloo.  He was also used frequently in the 80-mile gallops from Valladolid to Burgos, which took him five hours!  Finally, he was captured at Waterloo by William, 11th Baron Petre and brought back to stand at stud near Ely, living to the venerable age of 38.  His skeleton is displayed at the National Army Museum in Chelsea, London.

Copenhagen (1808-1836) was a 15 hand chestnut racehorse of mixed Arab and Thoroughbred parentage who carried the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo.  In his first years he raced in 12 races – winning two and coming third in another seven.  Taken to Spain by Sir Charles Vane, he was sold to the Duke who said of him “there may have been many faster horses, no doubt many handsomer, but for bottom and endurance I never saw his fellow”.  After the victory he was retired to Stratfield Saye, the Duke’s country seat, where he lived until the age of 28.  The Duke refused a request to have his skeleton displayed next to that of Marengo so he was buried on the estate.