Napoleon the First Consul of France decreed in 1803, that there should be the erection of a column in Place Vendôme 'equalling that in Rome set up in honour of Trajan'. After the battle of Austerlitz in 1805 it was suggested again that such a column should be set up to commemorate the victory. Lepere and Goindon designed the column whose spiralling bronze plaques were cast from the captured and melted down cannon of the Russians and Austians after the battle. The column was variously named 'Austerlitz Column', then the 'Victory Column' finally becoming the 'Colonne de la Grande Armée' There is an inscription on the bse which says 'Monument erected to the glory of Napoleon the Great's Grande Armée, begun on 25 August 1806 and finished 15 August 1810'. The statue on the top has been put and and replaced many times during the 19th century. This model shows the original staue, that of Naoleon. France circa 1820. 11.75 inches high by 4.25 inches square ( 29.375 cm by 10.625 cm).