(POUPARD et DELAUNAY u00a9 RMN/ / Napoleon.org)
Napoleon Bonaparte, known for putting his hand between the button of his shirt, and for being short (even if we’re not too sure that he was) is in the news again. How’s that for history repeating itself?
His iconic bicorne hat has fetched an impressive 1.9 million euros at a recent French auction. That’s too much – 1.8 million is the max I’d pay. Previously owned by businessman Jean-Louis Noisiez, the hat’s final price soared to nearly four times its reserve price and well exceeded the estimated value of 600,000-800,000 euros. The hat, donned by the French emperor during his reign, not only broke previous auction records but also doubled the initial estimate, leaving collectors and history enthusiasts alike in awe. My guess? Some extremely short rich dude bought it, thinking it would get him laid.
Sold by the renowned auction house Osenat, the bicorne hat features Napoleon’s trademark colors – black, plus the blue-white-red insignia of the French flag. Auctioneers reported that the hat attracted interest from collectors “from the world over,” keeping the identity and nationality of the successful bidder under wraps. Men are truly obsessed with Napoleon. We get it, he conquered shit, move on.
Yup, that's it. The actual hat the petite Emperor wore at Waterloo and was auctioned this week. (Courtesy De Baecque Action House)
Expert Jean-Pierre Osenat of the Fontainebleau-based auction house explained, “The hat in itself represented the emperor’s image,” emphasizing its symbolic importance during Napoleon’s time as emperor from 1808 to 1815. Notably, Napoleon wore this specific hat sideways, creating a distinct silhouette that made him easily recognizable to his troops on the battlefield. Also, he was really short. So he stood out for that, too.
Phoenix takes the lead role, hat and all, in Ridley Scott's "Napoleon." (Ridley Scott/Apple)
The sale of Napoleon’s hat comes just days before the release of a biopic on the French emperor, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix. The film promises not only massive-scale battles across Europe but also a portrayal of Napoleon’s complex relationship with his wife, Josephine. I’d love to know what she thought of the hat, since personally, I only think about 20% of men can pull them off.
As the bicorne hat finds a new home, it becomes more than a relic; it symbolizes a piece of history and a testament to Napoleon’s enduring influence. The high-profile auction and the upcoming biopic underscore the continued fascination with one of history’s most enigmatic figures, proving that, even in the 21st century, Napoleon’s impact resonates on the battlefield of fashion and film.
