French colonial army uniform worn by François-Clément Coppier, military administrator in French Equatorial Africa until 1921 (?)
Wool, cotton, silver thread, copper
Gift from the artist Émile Chambon in 1981
MEG Inv. ETHAF 050071
“Black star of Benin”
Having enlisted in the French colonial army in 1891 for the conquest of “Western Sudan”, François-Clément Coppier (1874-1921(?)) continued his career as a military administrator in the territories under the yoke of French Equatorial Africa until his assassination in Oyem (Gabon) in 1921 (?). Trophies and souvenirs from his different postings form the core of the collection later put together by his nephew, the painter Émile Chambon (1905-1993). F. Morin/MEG
