The Guillotine Blade Used on Marie Antoinette

The guillotine blade housed at Madame Tussauds stands as one of the most legendary relics of the French Revolution, allegedly used to execute Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the revolution toppled the monarchy. While there is no definitive proof directly tying this blade to her execution, its connection to her executioner’s family strongly suggests it could be authentic. Either way, the blade carries a deeply bloody and significant past.

The Chamber of Horrors: A Chilling Display

For over 100 years, this guillotine blade was a centerpiece of Madame Tussauds’ infamous Chamber of Horrors exhibition. It captivated visitors with its gruesome historical connection to one of the most notorious events of the French Revolution—the beheading of the queen. The blade remained a key attraction until the Chamber of Horrors was permanently closed in 2016, marking the end of its long public display.

The Fascinating Story of the Blade’s Acquisition

The tale of how this artifact made its way to Madame Tussauds is just as intriguing as the artifact itself. The blade was purchased in the mid-1800s by Joseph Tussaud, the eldest son of Madame Tussaud, the famous wax sculptor. Joseph acquired the blade from Clement Henri Sanson, the grandson of Charles Henri Sanson, who was the official executioner during the French Revolution, responsible for the deaths of both Marie Antoinette and her husband, King Louis XVI.

Clement Sanson’s Museum and the Sale of Artifacts

Clement Henri Sanson had inherited a collection of macabre artifacts from his grandfather, which he exhibited in a small museum in Paris. However, Clement’s reckless lifestyle, which involved gambling and drinking, led him into significant debt. In a desperate attempt to cover these debts, he began selling off his grandfather’s relics—including this infamous guillotine blade.

Madame Tussauds Ledger: The Transaction

An entry in the 1854 Madame Tussauds ledger details a payment of £110 to “Sampson” (a misspelling of Sanson) for the guillotine blade, along with expenses for a trip to Paris to finalize the acquisition. In addition to the blade, Joseph Tussaud also obtained detailed sketches of the full guillotine apparatus, which were later used to create a replica guillotine for the museum’s exhibitions.

A Relic of the French Revolution

This guillotine blade not only symbolizes the violent and dramatic upheaval of the French Revolution, but it also serves as a tangible reminder of the fall of the French monarchy and the tragic fate of Marie Antoinette. While the blade is no longer on public display, its dark history remains a deeply compelling part of Madame Tussauds’ collection, bridging the gap between past and present, and continuing to captivate those interested in one of the most turbulent eras of European history.