A worn and weathered bicorne hat, once adorned by Napoléon Bonaparte, commanded a staggering $2.1 million at a Fontainebleau auction featuring the belongings of the French emperor. Originally valued at 600,000 to 800,000 euros, the iconic black hat, distinctive for its unique style with ends pointing toward the shoulders, became the focal point of spirited bidding.
Jean Pierre Osenat, president of the Osenat auction house, declared the winner at 1.5 million euros, with commissions bringing the final cost to $2.1 million. The hat, recovered by Col. Pierre Baillon and later acquired by industrialist Jean-Louis Noisiez, showcased its historical significance amidst a collection of Napoleonic memorabilia amassed over five decades. The sale coincided with the anticipation of Ridley Scott’s film ‘Napoleon,’ starring Joaquin Phoenix, sparking renewed interest in the enigmatic French ruler.
