The famous hat of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was sold at an auction in Paris for 1.9 million euros (59 million 490 thousand lire).
The black beaver hat of Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the most talked-about political and military figures in history, from his period when he ruled the French Empire in the 19th century, went under the hammer today at Osenat Auctions in Fontainebleau.
The value of the hat, which is considered part of Napoleon’s identity, was estimated at between 600,000 and 800,000 euros.
The hat was sold at auction for 1.9 million euros (59 million and 490 thousand liras).
Emperor symbol
While Napoleon wore his hat perpendicular to the shoulders, most of his officers wore their hats perpendicular to the shoulders.
Auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat stated that people recognize this hat everywhere and said that it is the symbol of the Emperor: “When they saw him on the battlefields, they knew Napoleon was there. In his private life, he either carried the hat on his head or in his hand, and sometimes threw it on the ground. “This was the symbol of the emperor.”
On the other hand, the auction organizers pointed out that the hat remained in the possession of the family of Napoleon’s palace director throughout the nineteenth century and was well preserved.
Other items sold include a silver plate stolen from Napoleon’s carriage after the defeat at Waterloo in 1815, and a wooden case containing a razor, silver toothbrush, scissors and other personal belongings.