1805 Napoleonic Wars Austrian Flag Pole Finial

Brass construction, with the pieced design of the Imperial Austrian eagle and the monogram “FII”. Approximately 11 inches tall. Very dark, uncleaned patina overall. The finial bears the double headed eagle of Austria with the royal monogram of “FII”. This was the imperial cypher of Emperor Francis II of the Holy Roman Empire. After Napoleon’s victory at the battle of Austerlitz in 1805, the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved by Francis, and he then became Emperor Francis I of Austria. The royal cyphers were then changed in 1806 to “FI”.