12. Bronze Eagle Finial

A bronze eagle finial on top of a silk Napeleonic flag

French c. 1813-1814. This finial was on top of a silk flag from Napoleon's First Regiment of Imperial Guard. The thieves tried to remove the whole flag, but it was in a case that was screwed to the wall, so they just grabbed the finial instead. The flag and its finial hung in Isabella Stewart Gardner's home on Beacon Street before it was moved to the museum.