A set of various clothing belonging to Napoléon, 1800-1820
Estimate
50,000 - 80,000 EUR
Lot Details
Description
comprising:
- a long shirt, slipped on by the head in Baptist style, V-neckline, embroidered with an N with a crown in red silk threads, the collar closed with a button
- a pair of boxers, fastened with two buttons and a lanyard, with a ribbon embroidered on the back with the letter N in red silk thread
- a pair of stockings embroidered with the initial N surmounted by the imperial crown
- a white silk tie, worn by the Emperor on Saint Helena
(5)
The shirt: Long. 90 cm (Length. 35 ½ in)
The boxer: Long. 68,5 cm (Length. 27 in); waist size. 55,5 cm (21 ¾ in)
The pair of stockings: Length. 93,5 cm ( 36 ½ in) ; Height to the heel: 76 cm (30 in) ; Feet. 29 cm (11 ½ in)
The tie : 14 x 16 cm. (5 ½ x 6 ¼ in.)
Napoléon Ist (1769-1821)
P.-J. Chalençon, B. Topping and R. Hull Etling, Napoléon: An Intimate Portrait, Floride, 2005, exhibition catalogue, 2005-2011, p. 96
C. Vital (dir.), Napoléon Bonaparte et la Vendée, Italie, 2004, exhibition catalogue, Conservation départementale des musées de Vendée, 1 May - 17 October 2004 , p. 101, fig. 335
A.Cattagni, M. Durand, L. Saulnier-Pernuit, Au service de Napoléon à Sainte-Hélène, Marchand et Ali, Auxerre, 2003, exhibition catalogue, Musée de Sens, 30 March-29 September 2003, ill. p. 98, n° 45 and 46
Au service de Napoléon à Sainte-Hélène, Marchand et Ali, Musée de Sens, 30 March-29 September 2003
Napoléon et la Vendée, Hôtel du département, La Roche-sur-Yon, 18 May - 17 October 2004
Bonaparte et la Vendée, Logis de La Chabotterie, Saint Sulpice le Verdon, 1 May - 17 October 2004
Napoléon: An Intimate Portrait, A Travelling Exhibition from Russell Etling Company, 2005-2011
The Emperor’s clothing stand as deeply moving relics of his reign, revealing Napoleon’s intimacy—particularly through his shirts, which he changed multiple times daily, or his stockings embroidered with his initials. Recognizing their profound sentimental value, he meticulously lists them in his « Inventaire de mes effets que Marchand gardera pour les remettes à mon fils » entrusting his head valet to pass them to the Aiglon after his death—a wish thwarted by Austria’s refusal to release these mementos. Marchand thus retains the items, later giving them to Madame Mère upon the Aiglon’s death in 1833, who safeguards them until her own passing in 1836. A comprehensive inventory is then drawn up, dividing the pieces into four lots to be shared among the fallen Emperor’s siblings.
Among other garments offered at auction are a shirt sold at Osenat, Fontainebleau, May 5, 2021, lot 199 (100,000€), another at Osenat, Fontainebleau, November 19, 2023, lot 45 (59,000€), one at Aguttes, Paris, May 28, 2019, lot 69, and a pair of silk stockings at Osenat, Fontainebleau, March 22, 2021, lot 92 (12,000€).