Considered “national treasures” in France, two pistols that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte were sold at auction on Sunday, July 7 for the sum of 1.69 million euros. The identity of the buyer has not been disclosed.
2 min
Two richly decorated pistols that belonged to Napoleon I until his first abdication in 1814, classified as “national treasures” in Francewere sold at auction for 1.69 million euros (with fees), the Osenat auction house announced on Sunday, July 7. Sold in their precious wooden box (walnut burl, ebony, green velvet embroidered with gold, etc.) and with their accessories, “ these two percussion pistols, inlaid with gold and silver, where the profile of the emperor is represented “, were estimated at 1.2 to 1.5 million euros, expert Jean-Pierre Osenat told AFP.
The Osenat and Rossini auction houses, which organized the auction in Fontainebleau, near Paris, did not disclose any information about the buyer, but considered the sale a success. The two weapons were “ considered a national treasure ” by the National Treasures Advisory Commission in a notice accompanying an order refusing their export certificate published in the Official Journal on Saturday.
They have ” intended to join the national collections with the so-called emperors’ sabre, which had been offered at the same time by the recently deposed Emperor to General Caulaincourt “, specified the Ministry of Culture. The refusal of an export certificate opens a period of 30 months during which the French administration can make an offer to purchase the owner of the work, who has the right to refuse.
A special order from Napoleon
Whatever its value and age, a cultural asset qualified as a national treasure can only leave France temporarily, with a mandatory return, explains the website of the Ministry of Culture. Being classified as a national treasure gives the object incredible value. “, commented a representative of the Osenat house. Napoleon I had specially ordered this pair of pistols from the gunsmith Louis Marin Gosset. They are linked to his suicide attempt at Fontainebleau on the night of April 12 to 13, 1814, during his first abdication.
“ After the defeat in the French campaign, he was completely depressed and wanted to commit suicide with these weapons, but his Grand Equerry Caulaincourt (Armand Augustin Louis, Marquis de Caulaincourt, Duke of Vicenza, 1773-1827) removed the powder. Napoleon then took poison, but vomited it up and did not die. “, Mr. Osenat told AFP.
“ The Emperor then presented the two pistols with a sword to Caulaincourt as a souvenir of his loyalty in those dark days. They have since remained in his family who have decided to part with them. “, the expert said. In November, the Emperor’s famous bicorn, black with its blue-white-red cockade, sold for 1.932 million euros (including fees), a world record.