Medal, Murat King of Naples and the two Sicilies and the founding of the Observatory at Naples, struck bronze, by Louis Jaley, French, 19th century, 1812.

Bronze medal commemorating the appointment of Joachim Murat as King of Naples and the two Sicilies, and his founding of the Observatory at Naples. The overse shows Murat in profile, wearing a uniform with military decorations. The reverse shows a view of the building.

Given Thomas Tapping, Esq. in 1886.

Historical significance: From 1808, numerous medals were created to commemorate Murat’s new title (Bramsen, 1904, II, 120 no. 728-733) and notable deeds ( see Bramsen, 1907, II, 38 no. 1180 for a copy of this design). Jaley used this profile of Murat for several medals he designed from 1808 to 1815 (see notably Museum no. 240-1886, and Forrer, 1907, III, 54).

This medal commemorates the appointment of Murat as King of Naples and of the two Sicilies. One of Napoléon Bonaparte's most successful officers and brother-in-law (he was married to Caroline Bonaparte), Joachim-Napoléon Murat (25 March 1767 - 13 October 1815) received numerous titles from the Emperor of the French. After being made Marshal of France in 1804, he became Prince of the Empire in 1805, Grand Duke of Berg and Cleves in 1806, and was King of Naples and Sicily from 1808 to 1815.
Murat's portrait shows him heavily decorated with military medals and orders, notably with the military star, the insigna of the Légion d'Honneur (with profile of Napoleon) and the Plaque du grand aigle de la Légion d'Honneur (the imperial eagle holding lighting in its claws).
The reverse of the medal shows the observatory of Naples, founded under the rule of Murat. The foundation stone was laid on 4 November 1812, but the construction was not finished until 1819 during the reign of Ferdinand I of Bourbon and King of the two Sicilies.

According to Forrer (1907, III, 54), Louis Jaley (1763-1838) was a pupil of Moitte and Dupré. He specialised in commemorative medals, most notably of the Napoleonic era.
After the fall of Napoleon, memorabilia of the Empire became collectible, and notably sought in Great Britain.

This bronze medal commemorates the appointment of Joachim Murat as King of Naples and the Two Sicilies in 1808 and the founding of the Observatory at Naples.
The obverse presents the left profile of Murat in uniform, heavily decorated with military decorations. One of Napoleon's best officers, Murat was equally famous for his ostentatious looks, rendered here by his lavish epaulettes and tassels and the heavy curls of his hair and side-burns.
The reverse of the medal shows the observatory of Naples, founded under the rule of Murat. The foundation stone was laid on 4 November 1812, but the construction was not finished until 1819 during the reign of Ferdinand I of Bourbon and King of the two Sicilies.

241-1886