Imperial comeback: Napoleon's iconic hat goes under the hammer

From worn field socks to imperial curiosities, but the pièce de résistance? Napoleon's legendary hat. This summer.

From worn-out field stockings to imperial curiosities; but the pièce de résistance? Napoleon's legendary hat. This summer, the emperor makes his comeback, not on canvas or a plinth, but under the hammer of Sotheby's.

A touch of imperial grandeur on your mantelpiece? It could be. On June 25, one of the most extraordinary auctions of Napoleonic material will kick off in Paris. Sotheby's will present around a hundred lots from the private collection of flamboyant collector Pierre-Jean Chalençon. What can you expect? Think imperial furniture, porcelain, silverware and paintings by old masters.

The absolute eye-catcher? Napoleon's legendary hat, estimated at €800.000. Unlike his fellow officers, he wore this en bataille, with the wings parallel to his shoulders. The hat, made by Napoleon's official hatmaker Poupard, was later personally presented to General Mouton. 

World tour

Before the hammer falls in Paris, the collection will make a world tour. From 23 to 27 May, the collection could be admired in Hong Kong, followed by an exhibition in New York from 5 to 11 June. Not entirely surprising: Napoleon still has international appeal in 2025.

Chalençon, by the Times Described as “France’s most famous antique collector”, began collecting at the age of eighteen. His collection now includes over a thousand objects. In addition to the hat, a sword and baton from the 1804 coronation ceremony will also be auctioned, as well as Napoleon’s personal seal.