Mexican tricolor with gold bullion fringe border and hand-painted Imperial Monogram of Maximilian I. ca 1864-1867. Approx. 24 5/8 x 19 1/8, framed to 30 7/8 x 23 7/8 in. 

Maximilian (1832-1867) was an Austrian archduke, the younger brother of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, who became the Mexican Emperor of the Second Mexican Empire from 1864 until his execution by the Mexican Republic on 19 June 1867. 

After Mexican independence in 1821, liberal and conservative parties emerged, including a monarchist faction. In 1859, Maximilian was approached by an envoy of Mexican monarchists offering him the throne. With a pledge of French military support, he accepted the crown of Mexico on 10 April 1864. 

During his reign, he sought to implement liberal policies at the cost of his conservative backers. At the end of the American Civil War, the United States began to provide aid to Benito Juárez, whom they still recognized as the legitimate head of state. The French armies began to withdraw in the face of renewed US vigor in enforcing the Monroe Doctrine. The monarchy collapsed, and he was captured, tried, and executed in June 1867. 

This rare flag, bearing the Imperial Monogram of Maximilian is a rare survivor of his brief rule. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Mexico, Mexican History, Second Mexican Empire, Napoleon III, Monroe Doctrine, Restored Republic, Benito Juarez, Monarchism, Monarachists] [Flags, Patriotic Textiles]