A hat worn by Napoleon sold for $2.1 million at an auction of the French emperor’s belongings

At a recent auction in Fontainebleau, a felt bicorne hat once donned by the renowned French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte fetched a staggering $2.1 million. Initially estimated to be worth between 600,000 and 800,000 euros ($650,000-$870,000), this hat, recognized for its broad, black appearance, soared past expectations in a lively bidding war. The hat, a rare relic from Napoléon’s reign in the 19th century and his military campaigns across Europe, was the highlight of the auction, which featured a collection amassed by the late French industrialist.

Jean Pierre Osenat, head of the Osenat auction house, announced the final bid at 1.5 million euros (approximately $2.1 million), a price that included a 28.8% commission. The identity of the purchaser remains undisclosed.

Napoléon’s choice to wear his bicorne hat sideways (“en bataille” style) was a tactical move, distinguishing him on the battlefield for his soldiers. This particular hat came into possession of Col. Pierre Baillon, one of Napoléon’s quartermasters, before changing hands several times and eventually becoming part of Jean-Louis Noisiez’s collection. Noisiez, who passed away in 2022, had dedicated over fifty years to curating an extensive array of Napoleonic artifacts, including firearms, swords, and coins.

This sale coincides with renewed interest in Napoléon, partly fueled by the release of Ridley Scott’s film “Napoleon,” starring Joaquin Phoenix, which explores the life and legacy of the iconic yet divisive leader.

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• Jean-Louis Noisiez’s Napoleonic memorabilia collection
• Ridley Scott’s film “Napoleon” and its impact on public interest