Napoleon's pistols sold for €1.69 million at Fontainebleau auction

Two pistols that Napoleon Bonaparte once intended to use to end his life were sold for €1.69 million ($1.8 million) at an auction in Fontainebleau, south of Paris. The final sale price exceeded the estimated range of €1.2-1.5 million. The buyer's identity remains undisclosed.

Napoleon memorabilia is highly sought after by collectors, with one of his famous "bicorne" black cocked hats selling for 1.9 million euros in November.

Classified as National Treasures

Before the sale, the French culture ministry's national treasures commission classified the pistols as national treasures and placed an export ban on them. This decision was published in the government's official journal. The classification opens a 30-month period during which the French government can make a purchase offer to the new owner, who can refuse. National treasures can only leave France temporarily and must be returned.

Historical Significance and Adornment
The pistols, adorned with gold and silver and featuring an engraved image of Napoleon in full imperial attire, hold significant historical value. The richly decorated guns inlaid with gold and silver feature the engraved image of Napoleon in full imperial pomp.

They are said to have almost been used to end the French ruler's life in 1814, when he was forced to give up power after foreign forces defeated his army and occupied Paris.

"After the defeat of the French campaign, he was totally depressed and wanted to commit suicide with these weapons but his grand squire removed the powder," auction house expert Jean-Pierre Osenat told AFP ahead of the sale.

Napoleon instead took poison but vomited and survived, and later gave the pistols to his squire to thank him for his loyalty, Osenat added.

Napoleon later gifted the pistols to his grand squire, Armand de Caulaincourt, to thank him for his loyalty.

Napoleon's Attempted Suicide
In 1814, after foreign forces defeated his army and occupied Paris, Napoleon attempted to end his life. Though he failed with the pistols, he later took poison but survived after vomiting. This dramatic episode adds to the pistols' historical intrigue and value.

Ongoing Interest in Napoleon Memorabilia
Memorabilia of Napoleon remains highly sought after among collectors. In November, one of his famous "bicorne" black cocked hats with blue, white, and red trimmings sold for €1.9 million. These artifacts continue to draw significant interest due to their historical and cultural importance.

Background on Napoleon's Exile and Return
Following his abdication, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba off the coast of Italy. He made a dramatic return to France but was ultimately defeated by the British at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Napoleon spent his final years in exile on the island of St. Helena, where he died six years later.

A representative of the Osenat auction house noted, "Being classified as a national treasure gives an incredible value to the object." This sentiment reflects the broader historical and cultural significance of items associated with Napoleon.

(With inputs from AFP)