One of Napoleon’s signature hats to be auctioned in France

17 November 2023, 17:24

One of the signature broad, black hats that Napoleon wore when he ruled 19th-century France and waged war in Europe is on display at Osenat’s auction house in Fontainebleau, south of Paris
France Napoleon’s Hat. Picture: PA

Other history-laden items in the sale include a silver plate looted from Napoleon’s carriage after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

One of the signature broad, black bicorne hats that Napoleon Bonaparte wore when he ruled 19th-century France and waged war in Europe is expected to fetch upwards of 600,000 euros (£525,000) at an auction.

Other history-laden items in the sale on Sunday of industrialist Jean-Louis Noisiez’s collection of Napoleonic memorabilia include a silver plate looted from Napoleon’s carriage after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

They also include a wooden vanity case he owned, with razors, a silver toothbrush, scissors and other personal belongings.

One of the signature broad, black hats that Napoléon wore when he ruled 19th-century France and waged war in Europe is on display at Osenat’s auction house in Fontainebleau, south of Paris
One of the signature hats that Napoleon wore when he ruled 19th-century France and waged war in Europe on display at Osenat’s auction house in Fontainebleau, south of Paris (Christophe Ena/AP)

The faded black felt hat is the star piece, valued at between 600,000 and 800,000 euros (£525,000 to £700,000).

While other officers customarily wore their hats with the wings facing front to back, Napoleon wore his with the ends pointing towards his shoulders.

That style – known as “en battaille”, in battle, in French – made it easier for his troops to spot the military general and statesman in combat.

“For people who are into Napoleonic souvenirs, it’s the holy grail to have a hat,” said Jean-Pierre Osenat, head of the Osenat auction house.

“There’s about 20 left that are authentic and about 15 of them are kept in museums, so there’s about four or five that are in collectors’ hands.”

The hat on sale was first recovered by Colonel Pierre Baillon, a quartermaster under Napoleon and one of his comrades in arms in many battles, including Waterloo, according to the auctioneers.

The hat then passed through many hands before Mr Noisiez acquired it.

The entrepreneur spent more than half a century assembling his collection of Napoleonic memorabilia, firearms, swords and coins before his death in 2022.

Raphael Pitchal, left, and Jean Christophe Chataignier of Osenat’s auction house remove the protection of one of the signature broad, black hats that Napoleon wore when he ruled 19th-century France and waged war in Europe at Osenat’s auction house in Fontainebleau, south of Paris
Raphael Pitchal, left, and Jean Christophe Chataignier of Osenat’s auction house remove the protection of one of the signature broad, black hats that Napoleon wore (Christophe Ena/AP)

An engraving on the circular silver plate valued at 20,000 to 30,000 euros (£17,500 to £26,250) says it was taken from Napoleon’s carriage at Waterloo.

The auctioneers say it was part of a haul of 180 kilograms (400lbs) of silverware that was looted during the French retreat and shared among soldiers on the winning side.

The mahogany vanity case bearing Napoleon’s imperial coat of arms contains tools he would have needed to keep up appearances while campaigning, including a mirror, combs, tweezers, a shaving brush and other items.

Its estimated sale price is 40,000 to 60,000 euros (£35,000 to £52,500).

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Donald Trump gestures during a campaign event at Central Wisconsin Airport

Trump appeals to voters in Wisconsin stronghold ahead of debate with Harris

Algerian president and candidate for re-election Abdelmajid Tebboune

Algerian President expected to win second term in office

Demonstrators take part in a protest calling for the impeachment of Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes

Bolsonaro supporters in ‘free speech’ rally following Brazil’s X ban

Smoking wreckage of the school fire

21 children now known to have died in Kenya school fire

A mother cries near the coffin of her son killed in a Russian rocket attack at a Ukrainian military academy

Ukraine mourns dead from major Russian strike

A man rides motorcycle in the rain

Four people killed as Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in Vietnam

A demonstrator holds a placard which reads ‘Macron treason resignation’ during a protest

Protesters rally in France against Barnier’s appointment as prime minister

Papua New Guinea Pope

Pope urges end to decades of Papua New Guinea tribal conflict

Ukrainian air defence intercepts a Shahed drone mid-air

Ukraine destroys scores of Russian drones as long-range attacks continue

A Palestinian flag flying near the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 12 as health workers continue vaccinations

An ambulance at the Hillside Endarasha Primary school in Kenya

Dozens of boys still missing after Kenya school dormitory fire

Ravine with river Torrent de Pareis, Sa Calobra, Majorca

Body found in search for second British hiker on Spanish island of Majorca

Algerian president and candidate for re-election Abdelmajid Tebboune delivering a speech on stage with his image on a large backdrop

Algeria’s president expected to win second term as voters go to polls

The empty Boeing Starliner capsule sits at White Sands Missile Range

Boeing’s troubled space capsule lands on Earth without astronauts

MI6 and CIA chiefs warn Russia is waging 'reckless campaign of sabotage across Europe'

Spy chiefs claim the world is 'under threat in a way we haven't seen since the Cold War'

The debris at the site where an airplane crashed

Cockpit recording indicates de-icing problems in Brazil plane crash