Sold at a premium price above the previous auction estimate
Two pistols that Napoleon Bonaparte (1769?1821), the Emperor of the First French Empire, intended to use in his final moments were sold at auction for about 2.5 billion KRW.
On the 7th (local time), AFP reported that at an auction held by the auction house Osenat in Fontainebleau, southern France, two of Napoleon’s pistols were sold to an undisclosed buyer for 1.69 million euros (approximately 2.52285 billion KRW). This far exceeded the estimated final sale price of 1.2 to 1.5 million euros, including fees.
The pistol Napoleon attempted to use to take his own life. [Image source=Captured from Osanet homepage]
The pistols are lavishly decorated with gold and silver, and the box containing the pistols and the powder flask are engraved with the decorations of the Napoleonic Empire. In April 1814, when France was pushed back and Paris was occupied by the allied forces including Britain, Napoleon intended to use these pistols to end his life. Jean-Pierre Osenat, the auctioneer, described them as "works depicting Napoleon’s difficult times." However, Napoleon’s attempt failed when his close aide Armand de Caulaincourt removed the gunpowder from the pistols. Afterwards, Napoleon took poison, but this attempt also failed. In gratitude for his loyalty, Napoleon later gave the pistols to Caulaincourt.
Napoleon was subsequently exiled to Elba Island, escaped, and led the Battle of Waterloo the following year but was defeated. He then lived in exile on Saint Helena Island and died of stomach cancer.
Before this firearm auction, the French Ministry of Culture designated these items as national treasures and banned their export. Items classified as national treasures can temporarily leave France but must be returned. Under this regulation, the French government can propose to the new owner not to resell the items within the next 30 months. The owner has the right to refuse this proposal.
Meanwhile, items related to Napoleon are very popular among collectors. In November last year, his iconic bicorne hat was sold for 1.932 million euros (about 2.883 billion KRW), and in 2014, another of Napoleon’s hats was auctioned for 1.884 million euros (about 2.812 billion KRW). It was revealed at the time that the buyer of this hat was Chairman Kim Heung-guk of Harim, which caused a stir. It is said that there were about 120 of these hats, which became a "brand" of Napoleon, and currently only about 20 remain. Most are believed to be privately owned.
Other items that have appeared at auction include a silver nameplate looted from Napoleon’s carriage after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, a wooden portable cosmetics case owned by Napoleon, a razor, a silver toothbrush, scissors, and more.
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