Virtual Stroll Through Villa Finale: Main Hall & Napoleon Parlors
The introduction to Villa Finale's collections begins in the Main Hall. The adjoining parlors contain Walter Mathis' extensive collection Napoleonic items.
Tap to explore
Main Hall
This room serves as an introduction to the European collections found throughout the main rooms downstairs. (Scroll down to see collections highlights for this room.)
Tap to explore
Statue
"Gaston de Foix on Horseback", Antoine-Louis Barye, (French, 1795-1875 ), bronze with brown patina. Signed Barye on the model.
Gaston de Foix on Horseback by Barye, Antoine-LouiseVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
"Gaston de Foix on Horseback", Antoine-Louis Barye, French
Gaston de Foix wears Maximillian-type fluted field armor of the 16th century. His left hand holds the reins and his right hand holds a baton. A furl of drapery extends behind his back.
Tap to explore
Painting
Parable, The Rich Man and Lazarus
Parable, The Rich Man and Lazarus by School: Bassano, JacopoVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Parable, The Rich Man and Lazarus
A painting by a follower of Jacopo Bassano depicting the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. The painter inserted many of the popular characters found in the artist's original painting.
Tap to explore
Fountain
Victorian parlor fountain.
Victorian parlor fountain by Storer, JosephVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Victorian parlor fountain, crystal
Joseph Storer first patented these parlor fountains in England in 1870 followed by the United States in 1871. He sold the American rights to manufacturer James W. Tufts of Boston who marketed the novelty as "perpetual fountain."
Tap to explore
Mechanized music machine
Deluxe Model Violano Virtuoso
Violano VirtuosoVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Violano Virtuoso
A Violano-Virtuoso, double violin and piano machine manufactured by the Mills Novelty Co., violin mechanism invented by H.K. Sandell. The soundboard cast pat. June 4. 1912. See video of machine here
Tap to explore
Front Napoleon Parlor
Walter Mathis dedicated two parlors in his home for collections associated with Napoleon Bonaparte, whom he admired for his military genius. (Scroll down to see collections highlights for this room.)
Tap to explore
Death mask
Napoleon death mask in broze.
Death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte by Antommarchi, FrancoisVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Bronze Death Mask of Napoleon Bonaparte
The mask is a copy from a mold made of Napoleon's face upon his death. Inscribed on the mask are "Dr. F. Antommarchi" and "Susse F. Res".
Tap to explore
Bronze Sarcophagus
Bronze model of Napoleon's Sarcophagus
Bronze model of Napoleon's SarcophagusVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Model of Napoleon's Sarcophagus
Commemorative model of a Napoleon Sarcophagus, circa 1840. It includes Napoleonic symbols with a removable panel inscribed, "NAPOLEON EMPERUER ET ROI MORT A ST. HELENE LE V MAI MDCCCXXI." Opens to reveal Napoleon in state.
Tap to explore
Front Napoleon Parlor
A photomechanical reproduction print of Josephine Bonaparte.
Reproduction: Josephine at Malmaison by Prud'hon, Pierre-PaulVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Josephine at Malmaison
A photomechanical reproduction print of Josephine Bonaparte, after a painting by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon, framed in an octagonal heavily carved fame. Set with two doors which open to reveal the portrait.
Tap to explore
Rear Napoleon Parlor
Mathis' Napoleana collection continues with a few unrelated surprises. (Scroll down to see collections highlights for this room.)
Tap to explore
Center bowl
Empire Lapis Center bowl
Empire Lapis CenterbowlVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Empire Lapis Center Bowl
An Empire style lapis veneered and gilt-metal mounted center bowl, from the 20th century. It has an out-curved rim with applied masks and anthemia and is raised on winged adorned sphinxes on a tripartite base and further foliate mounted feet.
Tap to explore
Carved Ivory Figures
Carved ivory figures of Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte that open to show accomplishments.
Ivory figure of Napoleon BonaparteVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Carved ivory figure of Napoleon Bonaparte
A Continental carved ivory figure of Napoleon I from the 19th century. The figure opens to a triptych of panels showing Napoleon's accomplishments: his military career.
Carved ivory figure of Josephine BonaparteVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Carved ivory figure of Josephine Bonaparte
A Continental carved ivory figure of Empress Josephine, also known as Josephine de Beauharnais, from the 19th century. The figure opens to a triptych revealing panels showing her life's accomplishment: scenes of Josepine's marriage to Napoleon.
Tap to explore
Second Empire Cabinet
A French Second Empire mahogany and parcel-gilt vitrine cabinet from the second quarter of the 19th century containing miniature collections.
Miniature Portrait of Mary Lee Hill by Onderdonk, EleanorVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Miniature Portrait of Mary Lee Hill
This miniature watercolor portrait of Mary Lee Hitt was painted by Eleanor Onderdonk - sister of artist Julian Onderdonk - and mounted in a gold frame. It can be worn as a pendant or as a pin, and has the artist's initials on the bottom right side.
Five-Piece Meissen Dog Band by MeissenVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Five-Piece Meissen Dog Band
One of a partial Meissen porcelain dog band group, which is depicting dogs in 18th century dress playing various instruments on gilt-highlighted rocaille molded bases.
