A cast of Napoleon Bonaparte’s death mask recently sold at auction in Britain will leave the country next year unless a domestic buyer matches the £175,100 sale price.

UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has temporarily blocked the export of the plaster-made relic, which is thought to have been taken by British surgeon Francis Burton who was in attendance at the death of the French emperor in 1821.

It has been held by descendants of the Reverend Richard Boys, who is recorded as having played chess with Napoleon and was given two copies of the mask.

He was the then-senior chaplain of St Helena, the South Atlantic Ocean island where Napoleon died, and each mask has a note of authentication in his handwriting.

The mask, which could be exported next year, was held in an attic by its owner Andrew Boys until it was sold at auction in London in June.

The Department for Culture, Minister and Sport said Vaizey deferred granting an export licence for the death mask following a recommendation that such a move would be a “misfortune” as it is closely connected with the UK’s history and national life.

A decision on granting a licence has been deferred until January 12, 2014, although this period can be extended to April 12 if there is a serious intention declared to raise funds to purchase it.

Vaizey said: “2015 will see the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and there remains a huge fascination with Napoleon here in the UK.

“This is perhaps one of the most unusual objects I’ve ever come across, both fascinating and somewhat macabre, but I believe it should remain here, and hope a UK buyer steps forward to help ensure that happens.”

The second mask given to Rev. Boys, known as the Sankey Cast, is on loan to the Maison Francaise d’ Oxford, a UK-based research centre run by the French state.

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