Napoleon's Iconic Hat Fetches Unprecedented $21 Million at Auction

A black hat belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte, known for his trademark two-cornered military dress hats, was sold for over $2 million at an auction in France. The hat, one of approximately 120 versions owned by the French emperor, set a new record.

According to the Osenat auction house in Fontainebleau, which sold the hat, only about 16 remain, with most now housed in museums because of their historical significance.

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The hat was part of a collection belonging to French industrialist Jean Louis Noisiez that went on sale on Sunday.

Made from black beaver felt, this hat is adorned with a tricolor cockade, also known as a military rosette. The hat, crafted by a furrier at the emperor's palace, exceeded its initial estimation by more than twice in its online sale.

Napoleon is believed to have donned this specific hat during the midpoint of his reign. Upon his return to France from exile in Elba in 1815, he affixed the cockade to his hat. "His hat was instantly recognizable to everyone," stated auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat prior to the auction. According to Osenat, Napoleon consistently positioned the corners of his hat parallel to his shoulders, in contrast to the prevailing practice of wearing it with the corners facing front to back.

Napoleon's presence on the battlefield was unmistakable when the iconic hat adorned his head or was held firmly in his hand. It also made a powerful statement when he occasionally discarded it on the ground. This hat became the definitive image and symbol of the emperor, as stated by the source.

In 2018, an alternate rendition of this hat fetched over $400,000 at an auction in Lyon, France. According to the organizers, De Baecque auction house, Napoleon relied on a total of 12 hats in rotation, with each hat serving for three years before being replaced.

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Napoleon, who crowned himself as the emperor of France in 1804, left a significant mark on the nation as both a military commander and a ruler. He engaged in conflicts with numerous European powers during his reign.

Following his ultimate downfall in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, Napoleon abdicated for the second time and faced exile on the isolated island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. It was on this remote island that he passed away in 1821.

Napoleon's vanity set, which includes a razor and a toothbrush, and a handkerchief he used while he was unwell on St. Helena, were among the other items showcased in the auction. This auction coincides with the release of Ridley Scott's grand film, featuring Joaquin Phoenix as the legendary emperor, in theaters this week.