Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Napoleon’s Death – Exceptional Napoleonic Items at Auction on 27th October

HONG
KONG SAR – Media
OutReach – 19 October 2021 – A collection of
extremely rare items associated with Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Emperor and
General, is for sale at Bonhams, the world’s third largest auction house in
London on 27th October. The auction marks the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s
death.

Napoleon is the most
internationally recognised historical figure and memorabilia associated with
his reign are widely collected internationally and were even collected by
admirers in his lifetime.

The Bonhams sale
includes a newly discovered bicorne hat belonging to Napoleon. Napoleon’s
distinctively worn bicorne hats are the most iconic symbols of Napoleon.
Research has shown the Bonhams bicorne to contain Napoleon’s DNA.

The highlight of the
sale is an historically important and unique Imperial sabre made for Joseph
Bonaparte, Napoleon’s older brother and King of Naples and King of Spain. This
is the first time the sabre has been on public sale. The estimate is
US$350,000-$480,000.

The magnificent sabre
was made for King Joseph Napoleon during his reign as King of Naples between
1806 and 1808. The blade is engraved ‘VIVA IL RE GIUSEPPE NAPOLEONE’ (LONG LIVE
KING JOSEPH NAPOLEON). The only other sword with similar engraving was made for
Napoleon himself and is now in a museum in Spain.

The luxurious decoration
of the sabre reflects King Joseph Napoleon’s Imperial status.  The scabbard is richly decorated in gilt
ormolu with Joseph’s scrolled initials JN in gold surmounted by a crown, an
Imperial eagle, and images of Napoleonic military campaign themes.

The sabre, and
Napoleon’s sabre, was captured by the British under the Duke of Wellington at
the Battle of Vitoria in 1813.

Simon Cottle, Bonhams’
head of sale, said “This beautiful sword is being offered for sale for the
first time. This is a very rare opportunity to acquire a piece which is not
only historically important but, in its craftmanship and astonishing level of
detailed decoration, also a work of art in its own right.”

The Bonhams sale
includes other relics of Napoleon such as a shirt and scarf worn by him and a
fine gold snuff box.

Photo download: https://bonhams.box.com/s/oy5una6drk0aufbwl76pklqp4xtjifyl

Interested parties please
contact:

[email protected] | + 44 20 7468 8383

[email protected]om
| +852 2918 4321

[email protected]