Historical Context
Editorially reviewedNapoleon presented eagles to the army during the Champ-de-Mars ceremony of 5 December 1804, when regiments swore an oath around their new standards. Model-1804 eagles were followed by revised forms, including the lighter 1811 model. Capturing or losing an eagle therefore concerned the identity and honour of a specific unit as well as the authority of the Empire.
Provenance: Based on the Musée de l’Armée’s model-1804 eagle bearing the number 5. The museum attributes the design to Antoine-Denis Chaudet and the casting to Pierre-Philippe Thomire; a reconstruction should retain the eagle’s left-turned head, spread wings, thunderbolt and numbered plinth without importing features from later models.
Research status: reviewed · reviewed 23/08/2026
Sources
2 referencesAnimaux & guerres, épisode 20 : L’aigle
Musée de l’Armée, “Animaux & guerres, épisode 20 : L’aigle,” 30 October 2017. (Musée de l’Armée)
Supports: Documents the no. 5 model-1804 standard eagle, its designers, pose, thunderbolt and presentation to the regiments on 5 December 1804.
Musée de l’Armée, Napoléon stratège, exhibition catalogue, 2018. (Musée de l’Armée)
Supports: Documents the existence of a succeeding model-1811 eagle and supports treating the form as model-specific.
How to cite this page
Napoleonic Eagle Standard Device — French Army, 1804–1815. Sanctum Hex Vault. Reviewed 23/08/2026. https://vault.sanctumhex.com/symbols/historically-documented-military-symbols-and-insignia-rank-branch-unit-and-identification-devices-from-c-1700-1918-napoleonic-eagle-standard-device-french-army-1804-1815
https://vault.sanctumhex.com/symbols/historically-documented-military-symbols-and-insignia-rank-branch-unit-and-identification-devices-from-c-1700-1918-napoleonic-eagle-standard-device-french-army-1804-1815Standard Device
Napoleonic Eagle Standard Device — French Army, 1804–1815
A bronze eagle finial issued with French regimental colours from 1804, modelled with spread wings and one talon resting on Jupiter’s thunderbolt.
Own this Symbol
£0.99
Final price payable in GBP.
Commercial Licence Included · Lifetime file updates
Associated meanings
Common Uses
Purchase & Download
Purchase this symbol or a collection containing it to unlock the downloadable files.
